AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP in New York City connects adults aged 55 and over with meaningful volunteer opportunities in their communities that match their skills, interests, and availability. Volunteers serve in partner organizations throughout the five boroughs including soup kitchens and food pantries, hospitals and health care facilities, educational settings, community-based organizations, cultural institutions, and more.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP in New York City connects adults aged 55 and over with meaningful volunteer opportunities in their communities that match their skills, interests, and availability. Volunteers serve in partner organizations throughout the five boroughs including soup kitchens and food pantries, hospitals and health care facilities, educational settings, community-based organizations, cultural institutions, and more. They prepare, package, and deliver meals; tutor and mentor youth; counsel people on public benefits, student loan debt, and small business operations; provide companionship to homebound and isolated individuals; and much more! Some serve in person, while others serve remotely.
A Tradition of Program Innovation and Volunteer Mobilization
In 1966, the Community Service Society of New York launched a pilot project in Staten Island involving a group of twenty-three older adults in service to their communities, known as Project SERVE. The project demonstrated the immense value of older adult volunteers and served as a model for the national Retired and Senior Volunteer Program adopted in 1970 and rebranded as AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP in 2020.
Since then, CSS has led the effort to engage older adults in service to New York City through AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP. During this time, we have engaged tens of thousands of individuals in meaningful volunteer opportunities, harnessing their time, talents, and lifetime of experience to make the greatest impact on community needs in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
The strength of our program is three-fold:
- We provide life-changing opportunities for volunteers ages 55 and over.
- We help meet the critical needs of communities by mobilizing tens of thousands of hours of volunteer service.
- We strengthen public and nonprofit agencies by matching skilled volunteers with vital programs and services.
Today, we continue to develop innovative new volunteer initiatives, including:
The Financial Advocacy Program, which boosts the economic security of low-income New Yorkers through public benefits counseling and financial education.
Youth Mentoring, programs which prepare youth and their families for success in school, on the job, and in the community.
For more information on our programs and services, contact AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVP@cssny.org.
Be Part of the Tradition
Interested in Volunteering? Join Us –
Be part of something special! RSVP offers meaningful, exciting volunteer opportunities for people ages 55 and over throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Find out how you can make a difference—the life you change may be your own!
Experience the many benefits of volunteering through RSVP
Improve
Your
Health
Research suggests that older adults who are engaged in social and community activities maintain mental and physical health longer than older adults who are not.
- Increased Physical and Mental Wellbeing
- Opportunities to Stay Active and Engaged
- Reduced Social Isolation
- Decreased Symptoms of Depression
- Expanded Social Networks
- Promotes Physical Activity
Stay
Connected
- Join a team of over 2,000 RSVP volunteers across NYC
- Make a new friend… or friends!
- Volunteer alongside likeminded folks on important issues such as poverty, education, economic security and health and wellness
- Networking opportunities
Make
an
Impact
- RSVP volunteers provide critical support to about 250 organizations across NYC.
- RSVP volunteers often serve at community partners right in their own communities.
- 40,000 meals are served or delivered to people in need.
- 5,000 clients receive assistance with public benefits and financial literacy.
- Hundreds of children and young adults receive tutoring and mentoring services.
- And much more!
Try
Something
New
- Whether you want to use your existing skills or learn something new, we can connect you.
- Explore one of RSVP’s in-house Signature Projects—ACES, the Financial Coaching Corps, MentorCHIP and MentorUP—a great way to immerse yourself in a new volunteer opportunity!
- Take part in a one-on-one Connection Session to discuss your skills and interests, or attend a Learn and Link information event.
Enjoy
Extra
Benefits
- Partial transportation reimbursement - to reduce your public transportation or gas expenses
- Supplemental Accident Insurance -to give you added protection while volunteering
- Invitations - to special events including free workshops and thank you events
- Awards – we appreciate and acknowledge your service in a variety of ways including celebrating milestones, hosting recognition activities, and honoring Every Day Heroes and outstanding service.
Rebuilding, Renewing and Re-engaging past COVID
We are working hard to provide safe and impactful opportunities for individuals aged 55 + to stay active and involved in making a difference throughout all communities in the five boroughs. We offer both in-person and virtual opportunities.
I’m Ready to Connect
Enrolling is easy. Please use this site to find a great volunteer opportunity, complete the Volunteer Application which will be sent to you by an RSVP representative, and then start serving!
Already an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer?
Thank you! Whether you are volunteering at one of our community partner organizations or in one of our internal signature programs we are grateful that you have chosen to share your time, talents and lifetime of experience to improve your community and our city.
Most of the information you need can be found in the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Guidebook including the policies and procedures that guide our work. Knowing the benefits and guidelines will help you have an enjoyable and productive volunteer experience. It should answer any general questions or concerns you may have about your role as an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer. However, please do not hesitate to reach out to us when needed by calling 212-674-7787 or emailing AmeriCorpsSeniorsRSVP@cssny.org.
Click here to view the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Guidebook.
Become a Community Partner
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP assists public and nonprofit agencies to meet urgent social needs in New York City by working with you to recruit individuals 55+ to fill your critical volunteer positions.
RSVP volunteers bring a lifetime of experience. Find out how RSVP can help you plan, train, and recruit for successful volunteer placements that strengthen your organization and help you achieve your mission.
In addition, RSVP offers technical support, consultation, and training for managing and running volunteer programs.
To become a Partner Station your organization must be a public agency, secular or faith-based private nonprofit organization, with 501 c(3) status or a proprietary health care organization. Each volunteer station must be licensed or otherwise certified, when required, by the appropriate state or local government. As per federal regulation, neither informal groups nor private homes qualify as volunteer stations.
If you are interested in becoming partner organization, please email ConnectwithRSVP@cssny.org and an RSVP representative will contact you.
RSVP Stories: Many Ways to Make an Impact