Persons 55 years of age and older can help maintain an active lifestyle while helping residents in our community in meaningful ways through participation in the Foster Grandparents Program, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and the Senior Companion Program.
The Foster Grandparent Program is part of the AmeriCorps Seniors, a network of National and Community service programs that supports the engagement of nearly 500,000 Americans age 55 and older in service to meet critical needs in education and social engagement for children in need.
The Foster Grandparent Program connects Senior Volunteers age 55 and older with children with exceptional needs, helping to guide these students to higher academic achievement. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers report better health and longevity having served in their community.
Benefits Foster Grandparent Program Volunteers receive:
Health and Wellness
Self-Improvement
Hourly Stipend
Community Connection
New Skills
Transportation Reimbursement
Monthly Trainings
Annual Recognition Events
Volunteers are low-income and receive a Federal Stipend which does not affect their Social Security, Food Stamps, or Government Housing benefits.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers individuals 55 and older an opportunity to utilize their unique abilities, expertise, and life experiences to enhance and support the well-being of others. RSVP is a national organization sponsored by AmeriCorps Seniors a federal agency, and locally by Miami Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD). Partnerships are with non-profit organizations and Health Care Agencies.
Volunteers can help make a difference in community-based programs, congregate meal sites, hospitals, and hospice units. The RSVP volunteers choose how they would like to serve and give back to their community. The volunteer may commit to from a few hours to 40 hours per week depending on the project chosen. RSVP volunteers are not paid any wage or stipend but may receive reimbursement for transportation.
The Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families (R.E.L.I.E.F.) Program offers volunteer opportunities to individuals age 18 and older (no income restriction) to provide respite to overwhelmed caregivers while assisting elders with their daily activities. The R.E.L.I.E.F. Program is a component of the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) in the State of Florida and the Alliance for Aging, Inc the Area Agency on Aging for Miami-Dade County.
The goal of R.E.L.I.E.F. is to provide companionship to a homebound elder, provision of community resources, and regular visits to alleviate the stress and burden caregivers feel as they provide constant care to their loved one. The caregivers daily care for their family or friend impacts their health, mental and physical well-being. The purpose of the service is to increase the ability of the caregiver to continue to care for a homebound elderly individual by providing in-home respite beyond the basic provisions of current public programs.
The R.E.L.I.E.F. volunteers respite service hours allow the caregiver to take a much-needed break to tend to their medical appointments, run errands, exercise or rest to take care of themselves.
Benefits R.E.L.I.E.F. Volunteers receive:
Hourly Stipend
Transportation Reimbursement
Monthly Trainings
Information and referrals
Wellness and community connection
Annual Recognition Events
Because of the efforts of R.E.L.I.E.F. Volunteers, many caregivers can keep their loved ones at home and avoid premature institutionalization.
The Senior Companion Program (SCP) offers volunteer opportunities to individuals age 55 and older to provide companionship to elders in their community. SCP is part of AmeriCorps, a network of National and Community Service Program that support and engage nearly 500,000 Americans age 55 and older in service.
The Senior Companion Program goal is to provide friendship, education, provision of community resources and regular visits. In addition, the volunteers are able to live healthier, and longer as well as give back to their community.
Benefits Senior Companion Program Volunteers receive:
Hourly stipend
Transportation reimbursement
Monthly trainings
Information and referrals
Wellness and community connection
Annual recognition events
Volunteers are low-income and receive a Federal Stipend which does not affect their Social Security, Food Stamps, or Government Housing benefits.
Because of the efforts of SCP Volunteers, many older adults can remain at home and avoid premature institutionalization.
The Seniors Who Serve Volunteer Award Program honors elderly residents annually for exceptional volunteer service in Miami-Dade County. To be considered for the award, nominees must have demonstrated volunteerism within any of the following categories:
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