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Community Service

The aging of our population creates both needs and opportunities for community service. There are many ways for older adults to share their strengths for the benefit of their community and themselves.

Organizations/Web Sites

Action Without Borders Phone: 212-843-3973 Web: http://www.idealist.org

Action Without Borders connects people, organizations and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives. Action Without Borders is independent of any government, political ideology or religious creed. Its work is guided by the common desire of members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect.

Civic Ventures Phone: 415-430-0141 Web: http://www.civicventures.org

Civic Ventures is a national nonprofit organization that works to expand the contributions of older Americans to society, and to help transform the aging of American society into a source of individual and social renewal. Civic Ventures seeks to tap the talents and skills of older Americans by developing avenues for meaningful service to communities. In pursuit of this mission, Civic Ventures promotes new ideas, strengthens infrastructure, and establishes and learns from new institutions.

Connect and Serve Web: http://www.mass.gov/connectandserve

A statewide database of volunteer opportunities to match your interests with your community's needs. You can search and learn about different types of volunteer activities and locate volunteer and board opportunities in your area. Click on Connect and Serve and search by city/town or zip code.

Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement Phone: 540-788-3274 Web: http://www.easi.org

EASI is a nonprofit coalition of volunteers that supports volunteer activities that address national, state and local environmental priorities. EASI selects local hosts to recruit, train and recognize senior volunteers, who carry out a wide range of environmental activities.

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Executive Service Corps of New England Phone: 617-357-5550 Web: http://www.escne.org

The Executive Service Corps of New England (ESC) is a regional, nonprofit corporation headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. ESC is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve by utilizing senior-level volunteers to provide high-quality, affordable consulting services, resources, and mentors to nonprofits and educational leaders seeking to address critical organizational issues.

Experience Corps Phone: 617-423-6633 Web: http://www.experiencecorps.org

Experience CorpsŪ offers new adventures in service for Americans over 55. Now in 13 cities, Experience Corps works to solve serious social problems, beginning with literacy.

Massachusetts Service Alliance Phone: 617-542-2544 Web: http://www.mass-service.org

The Massachusetts Service Alliance, established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the state commission on community service. Its mission is to generate an ethic of service throughout the Commonwealth by creating and supporting diverse, high quality service and volunteer opportunities for all age groups, resulting in stronger communities and more active citizens.

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Merrimack Valley Community Service Corps (FGP & RSVP) Phone: 978-686-9407 Web: http://www.seniorservice.org/greater_lawrence_mvcsc/

MVCSC encompasses a variety of volunteer opportunities funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). These opportunities include the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), RSVP, Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC), and AmeriCorps VISTA. MVCSC encourages their volunteers to incorporate the arts and culture into education and human service activities.

SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Businesses Phone: 978.922.9441 Web: http://www.scorenemass.org

The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Local chapters provide free counseling and low-cost workshops in their communities. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as business counselors.

SeniorCare RSVP of the North Shore Phone: 978-281-1750, 468-1193 or 927-1193 Web: http://www.seniorservice.org/north_shore_rsvp/

SeniorCare RSVP helps provide volunteer opportunities for people 55 + places them in one of the 38 non-profit organizations on the North Shore. Volunteers get help in choosing an assignment that meets their own interest and available times.

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Senior Corps Phone: 617-565-7018 Web: http://www.seniorcorps.org

Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges with Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program).

United Way of Merrimack Valley Voluntary Action Center Phone: 978-556-9273 Web: http://www.uwmv.org

The United Way of Merrimack Valley Voluntary Action Center is designed to act as a clearinghouse to recruit and match volunteers with agency and community needs, train organizations to develop and sustain volunteer help, and assist business and industry to establish successful employee-based volunteer programs.

Volunteer Match Phone: 415-241-6868 Web: http://www.volunteermatch.org

VolunteerMatch is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help everyone find a great place to volunteer, and offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Interested volunteers can enter their ZIP code on the VolunteerMatch home page to quickly find local volunteer opportunities posted by nonprofit organizations throughout the United States.

Print and Other Resources 50+ Volunteering: Working for Stronger Communities. Points of Light Foundation: Washington, D.C., 2004. http://www.pointsoflight.org/downloads/pdf/networks/olderadult/WorkingForStrongerCommunities.pdf Blaustein, Arthur I. Make a Difference: Your Guide to Volunteering and Community Service, Heydey Books, 2002. In NOBLE Libraries In MVLC Libraries Freedman, Marc. Prime Time: How Baby Boomers Will Reinvent Retirement and Revolutionize America. New York: Public Affairs, 1999. In NOBLE Libraries In MVLC Libraries Experience at Work: Volunteering and Giving Among Americans 50 and Over. Washington, D.C., Independent Sector, 2003. Magee, Marc. Boomer Corps: Activating Seniors for National Service. Washington, D.C.: Progressive Policy Institute, January 2004. http://www.ppionline.org/documents/Boomer_Corps_0104.pdf Putnam, Robert, and Lewis Feldstein. Better Together: Restoring the American Community. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003. In NOBLE Libraries In MVLC Libraries

 

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