NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EXPERIENCE MATTERS AWARDED $94,234 FOR SENIOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Corporation for National and Community Service Grant Will Support
190 Senior Corps RSVP volunteers
PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 16, 2020): Experience Matters has received a Senior Corps RSVP grant of $94,234 from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and services, to support 190 Senior Corps RSVP volunteers serving in Phoenix and Maricopa County and to expand Experience Matter’s Senior Corps presence in the county.
The funds were awarded as part of a Senior Corps grant competition to increase the impact of national service in new or specific geographic areas. Through Experience Matters, Senior Corps volunteers will tutor third graders through a national literacy program, mentor high school students and provide transportation services to seniors.
“The RSVP grant plays an integral role in Experience Matters’ mission to match the skills and talents of individuals 50 and over in a variety of nonprofit capacity-building projects, ultimately providing a positive community impact. It’s exciting to watch volunteers excel by repurposing their skills,”said Experience Matters National Service Program Manager Jeanne-Marie Hill.
“RSVP volunteers make a difference every single day”.
Today, Senior Corps engages approximately 200,000 Americans at more than 20,000 locations across the nation through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion and RSVP programs.
Established in 1971, RSVP engages Americans age 55 and older in citizen service addressing the nation’s most-pressing challenges ranging from fighting the opioid epidemic, reducing crime and reviving cities, connecting veterans to jobs and benefits and preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs to ensuring seniors age independently and with dignity, and helping Americans rebuild their lives following a disaster.
While serving, Senior Corps volunteers also improve their own lives, staying active and healthy through service. A growing body of research points to mental and physical health benefits associated with volunteering, including lower mortality rates, increased strength and energy, decreased rates of depression and fewer physical limitations.
Findings from a recent CNCS study show that Senior Corps volunteers serving with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs report feeling significantly less depressed and isolated, along with higher health scores.
ABOUT EXPERIENCE MATTERS: Recognized nationally as a groundbreaking initiative, the Experience Matters vision is to effect lasting social change through civic engagement to transform the structure and sustainability of hundreds of nonprofits throughout Maricopa County. Experience Matters connects passionate individuals with nonprofit organizations and supports the organizations as they receive the talent. For more information, visit Experience Matters.