About RVM Community Services

Rogue Valley Manor Community Services (RVMCS), a non-profit organization, provides a variety of opportunities for seniors to fully participate in the life of the community through volunteer service. RVMCS community outreach programs include the (1) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and (2) Foster Grandparent Program (FGP). Both RSVP and FGP are federally funded; they also receive matching local funding. Both organizations are sponsored by Pacific Retirement Services, and they are member agencies of the United Way of Jackson County; FGP is also a member of the United Way of Klamath County.

Each year, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sets a goal for volunteer service hours they want to meet or beat. "Currently, the volunteer program has more than 1,000 registered volunteers that provide services to over 100 non-profit organizations," says RSVP Director Becky Snyder. "Anyone 55 years of age or older is eligible to become an RSVP volunteer, whatever their level of experience, education, or income."

In addition to placing its volunteers with more than 100 non-profit organizations and programs in Jackson County, RSVP coordinates the volunteer activities of four other programs. These include the Call-A-Ride medical transportation program; the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Association (SHIBA), in which volunteers are trained to assist seniors with Medicare issues; the Respite Care program, which provides relief for people who are primary caregivers for seniors; and the CARE program, which won the AAHSA 1998 award for Community Service for Youth at Risk, for outstanding service in response to community needs.

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is another arm of RVMCS. The program places low-income seniors, 60 years of age or older, in settings throughout the community where they work directly with children. The program provides volunteers for many of the area public schools, Head Start programs, day-care.

Foster Grandparent

senior volunteer