HR Pro Turned Community Volunteer

Rita Jackson (on the right) has a passion to “make a difference in people’s lives.” After she left a career in HR, Rita discovered volunteering, and quickly learned how it gave her life “a whole new meaning and purpose.” 

She became an AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteer in 2008. Since then, she has volunteered in various assignments with organizations like the Service Corp of Retired Executives and the Museum for Maritime Navigation and Communication.

In 2023, she received the Presidential Lifetime Service Award for volunteering 4,000 hours in 15 years!

Rita has this advice for people who are interested in volunteering: “You will feel valued and appreciated. You will learn, grow, and make wonderful friends. Your heart will soar when you see the same person, before and after you’ve helped them.”

Learn more about how RSVP is helping communities all across New York and how you can get involved.