Tips for Finding Organizations That Serve Seniors

Click on these topics for ideas and suggestions:

Remember:

• One hour of volunteer work for seniors earns 1 CSA CE credit
• Look for opportunities that bring you in personal and direct contact with seniors

National volunteering organizations

Volunteers of America and Points of Light Foundation/ Volunteer Center National Network maintain lists of many volunteer opportunities across the country. Call the toll-free numbers listed below, or visit these organizations’ websites to find opportunities to help seniors in your local area:

Volunteers of America (VOA)
Toll-free: 1-800-899-0089
E-mail: info@voa.org

Visit: http://www.voa.org

At the top of the home page in the menu bar, click on "Where We Are". This will display a screen with a "Location Directory". From the pull down menus, select a State Location and Category of Service; click Search. If there is a local VOA office that covers that service category, the contact information will display. Call the local VOA office to discuss opportunities to volunteer for seniors.

Note: If you do not immediately find a VOA office listed for one Category of Service, click on other services. Senior needs are often listed under more than one category.

Points of Light and the Volunteer Center National Network
Toll-free: 1-800-VOLUNTEER
E-mail: Info@pointsoflight.org

Visit: http://www.pointsoflight.org

Instructions: On the home page, go to "Find Your Local Volunteer Center"; enter either your state or zip code; click "Go". A list of volunteer needs will display by city. Click on a listing to display a contact name and information. Contact that person to see if the opportunity is right for you.

Internet volunteer bank:

Volunteer Match maintains national lists of opportunities by zip code and category of interest; and provides a "Top Metro" list of needs in major cities, along with links to service organizations. You can find Volunteer Match at:

Volunteer Match

http://www.volunteermatch.org

On the home page, either enter a zip code and click Search; or click on a city in the "Top Metro" list. Both choices will display a list of volunteer needs in this area, with a pull down menu of various topics to narrow your search. Click on the individual volunteer listings to display more information about the need. If you are interested in it, you will be able to immediately send an e-mail from that page expressing your interest to the organization.

Special interest volunteering organizations:

The Meals on Wheels Association of America and Rebuilding Together USA are only two of many special interest volunteering organizations that maintain lists of needs across the country. Call the toll-free numbers listed below, or visit these organizations’ websites to find opportunities to help seniors in your local area:

Rebuilding Together USA
Toll-free: 1-800-4-REHAB9
E-mail:
info@rebuildingtogether.org

http://www.rebuildingtogether.org

On the home page, click on "Find a Program Near You" to display a map; click on the map to display a list of contacts in your area. Call the local volunteering office to find out about needs to repair or renovate seniors’ homes.

Meals on Wheels Association of America
Phone: 703-548-5558
E-mail: Available on the home page; go to "Make Selection" ; in the pull down menu, click on "Contact Us".

http://www.mowaa.org

On the home page, click "Search For a Program" in the menu bar to display a "Select a State" pull down menu. Click on a state and then click on "Submit Query" to display a list of contacts for local Meals on Wheels Program offices, senior centers and other facilities or agencies that deliver meals to homes. Call or e-mail the individual contacts to discuss opportunities to volunteer for seniors.

Note: Depending on the organization, you may be able to identify more ways to volunteer for seniors through that organization, in addition to "Meals on Wheels".

Faith-based service organizations:

Interfaith and faith-based organizations, churches of various denominations, synagogues, mosques and other religious and spiritual groups welcome volunteers. Contact your local minister, rabbi, priest, coordinator or leader.

Senior centers, senior group homes, nursing homes:

These and other senior facilities and service programs rely heavily on volunteers. However, they may not always be listed with national volunteering organizations or Volunteer Match.

The best way to find ones in your area is to do a key word search on the Internet using a search engine such as http://www.google.com or http://www.yahoo.com. In the Search window, enter key words such as the name of your town, city or county; the name of your state; senior, community, center; volunteer.

Communicate!

Tell people you meet that you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer for seniors, and ask them to refer you to people or organizations that can help you find one.

And keep this in mind . . .

Look for volunteering opportunities that bring you face-to-face with seniors and allow you to help them directly with their lives and challenges. Your purpose is to increase your awareness and understanding of seniors’ needs, as you experience the fulfillment of giving of your self, time and talents to them.