Volunteer Opportunities

Many older North Carolinians volunteer in their communities or benefit from the volunteer activities of others. This page provides brief descriptions of some opportunities.

The Corporation for National Service

The Corporation for National Service, Senior Corps sponsors four major programs. To learn more about them, contact Robert Winston, State Director, Corporation for National and Community Service, Federal Building, Post Office Century Station, 300 Fayetteville Street Mall, Room 131, Raleigh, NC 27601-1739; telephone (919) 856-4731; FAX 919/856-4738.

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)

Volunteers who are 60 years and older give their time, talents, and energy through locally sponsored projects in public and nonprofit organizations and licensed proprietary health care facilities. FGP volunteers in North Carolina, provide supportive services to children with special needs. Seniors with low income who participate in this program receive a modest hourly stipend for their services.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

RSVP provides people who are 55 years and older an opportunity to volunteer in schools, with providers of aging services, and in a wide range of other settings. Beside the pleasure of helping others, RSVP volunteers receive benefits that include insurance, meal reimbursement, mileage reimbursement, and recognition.

Senior Companion Program

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) provides an opportunity for people who are 60 years and older to serve homebound seniors, often helping them by shopping, taking them to the doctor, or helping manage finances. Many Senior Companions have low incomes and so receive a modest stipend, but people with higher incomes may participate in the program and not receive a stipend.

North Carolina Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)

AmeriCorps VISTA is a full-time, year-long volunteer program for men and women age 18 and older from all backgrounds who commit themselves to helping people with low income improve their own conditions. See the national web site for a list of projects in North Carolina.

The Peace Corps

Although one may imagine that Peace Corps volunteers are college age, their web site notes that volunteers who are well into their eighties have served and continue to serve.

Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

This nonprofit organization is composed of retired business people who volunteer their time to counsel and train owners of small businesses. Consult SCORE's national web site for links to one of the 13 listed local chapters.

Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
SHIIP volunteers help fellow senior citizens in their community with questions
regarding Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare claims processing. Consult the SHIIP website for more information and training schedule.

North Carolina Senior Games

Whether you participate as an athlete, spectator, or volunteer, the North Carolina Senior Games can help keep you fit. If arts, line dancing, or walking are your cup of tea, check the SilverArts, SilverLiners, and SilverStriders links.

Web Links to Additional Information on Volunteering

There are many opportunities to volunteer. Your local senior center can often provide both opportunities on site and referrals to other community organizations that need your help. Your Area Agency on Aging can connect you with such other programs as meals-on-wheels, home visiting, and home weatherizing. This listing of links is just a sample of what you can find over the World Wide Web.

American Society on Aging (ASA) - A web-based volunteer recruitment system for adults over the age of 55, a state-of-the-art website that connects older adults with high-quality volunteer opportunities in their communities
The Administration on Aging provides a fact sheet on volunteer opportunities.
The National Aging Information Center posts a bulletin on volunteerism and older adults, with many links.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors programs in the Triangle area and also contains information on community organizing.
The National Parks Services offers the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) Program.
The NC Mentoring Partnership aims to increase the quality and quantity of mentors so that every child in North Carolina who needs a mentor is matched with a caring adult.
Consult the United Way of North Carolina, to find the one closest to you.
In North Carolina, see the Southeast Public Interest Network of North Carolina for a list volunteer opportunities in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Brunswick, Onslow, Pender, and Sampson counties.
AARP has a page on volunteering that lists their initiatives.
Two organizations that maintain directories of volunteer opportunities are

ImpactOnline's Volunteer Match directory.
Action without Borders, Inc. for opportunities in NC, the nation, and worldwide.

Last updated -December 1, 2005

Corporation for
National Service