More than 245,000 Senior Corps volunteers are being honored for the critical contributions they make across the country
Erin McGrath, Director of the Federal Senior Corps Program
(Washington D.C., Wednesday, May 17, 2017) – More than 245,000 Senior Corps volunteers, who are adults age 55 and over, are being honored for the critical contributions they make across the country that help their communities grow and thrive. Senior Corps Week, taking place May 15 through May 19, 2017, is an annual national effort led by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers programs such as Senior Corps and AmeriCorps.
One in 4 older Americans volunteer their time, skills, and expertise — contributing 3.3 billion hours of service worth $77.8 billion in economic benefit to the nation. And the benefits of volunteering extend to the volunteers, as well — keeping them active, healthy, and engaged.
Erin McGrath, Director of the federal Senior Corps program, discusses the significant impact that these older adults are making in communities across the nation.
SOUNDBITE #1:
AT A TIME WHEN LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE EXPERIENCING INCREASED DEMANDS WITH FEWER RESOURCES, OLDER AMERICANS ARE STEPPING UP TO FILL IN THE GAPS. A GROUP OF EXTRAORDINARY AMERICANS IS TAKING THIS COMMITMENT EVEN FURTHER BY CHOOSING TO SERVE AS SENIOR CORPS VOLUNTEERS. FROM HELPING CHILDREN IN CLASSROOMS TO RESPONDING TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND HELPING OUR NATION’S VETERANS – SENIOR CORPS VOLUNTEERS PROVE THAT THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND DECADES OF EXPERIENCE ARE NOT JUST NICE – THEY’RE NECESSARY.
SOUNDBITE #2:
WHILE COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM THEIR TIME, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE, OLDER VOLUNTEERS SERVING THE NATION ALSO SERVE THEMSELVES. MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF RESEARCH INDICATES THAT OLDER ADULT VOLUNTEERS EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS, LEADING TO HEALTHIER, HAPPIER, AND LONGER LIVES.
To learn more about Senior Corps programs and volunteer opportunities in your area, visit nationalservice.gov/SENIORCORPS.