RSVP is an organization of senior volunteers of diverse backgrounds dedicated to providing service that impacts their communities. The mission of RSVP is to link volunteers age 55 and older with essential community needs throughout Bexar County.

Description:
RSVP is a valuable resource to the person who wants to volunteer one time, once in a while, or for an ongoing service project. All volunteers are interviewed by a staff member prior to placement and referral, matching them with requests from our agency partners.

RSVP creates partnerships with 501(c)3 non-profit agencies and public entities that capitalize on the time, experience and commitment of the 55+ population. Our program assists partner agencies with their volunteer needs and strives to help seniors lead active healthy lives through sustained volunteerism.

History:
RSVP grew from a seed first sown in the early 1960s when the 1961 White House Conference on Aging called attention to the continuing need of older people to stay active through service to their country. The Conference also promoted the passage of the Older Americans Act of 1965, which established a range of programs offering services and opportunities for older Americans at risk of losing their independence.

Shortly thereafter, the Community Services Society of New York launched a pilot project on Staten Island called SERVE (Serve and Enrich Retirement by Volunteer Experience). Through SERVE, a small group of older adults volunteered their skills in service to their community. The success of the program demonstrated the value of older volunteer service and led to an amendment in 1969 to the Older Americans Act that established the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, to help create volunteer opportunities for retired persons.

As a locally directed, but federally legislated grant program, RSVP has always focused on motivating older Americans to find ways to help their communities.

Another federal agency, ACTION, was established to support the concept of volunteerism as a resource to address community needs. RSVP was created and funded in 1971 as a part of ACTION.

The original philosophy of RSVP, “People Helping People”, ensured its longevity and success. On September 23, 1981, RSVP celebrated ten years of service, and that date in September was designated National RSVP Day.

Eleven years later, with the election of Bill Clinton in 1992, the Older Americans Volunteer Program (OAVP) was reauthorized as the National Senior Volunteer Corps (NSVC) under the National and Community Service Trust Act. In addition, the agency known as ACTION was converted into the Corporation for National and Community Service.

RSVP, a part of senior programs of the NSVC, was renamed the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program to reflect the new reality that not all older volunteers were retired. Additionally, the age required to join RSVP was lowered from 60 to 55 years.

The changes that the RSVP program has experienced throughout the years reflect the changing faces of senior volunteerism in America. The program continues to grow, and as it grows, RSVP will continue to provide opportunities for all seniors to answer the call to service.

Contact people:

Ilse Calo-oy, Community Coordinator, (phone), (email) Leonore (Nora) Zurita, Community Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (210) 222-9983

Address:

202 W. French Place San Antonio, TX 78212 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.rsvpsa.org

Directions:

Located on 202 W. French Place, next to San Antonio College. Our building is between French Place and Ashby. Across the street from the Thunderbird Apartments.