Retired Senior Voulnteer Program (RSVP)

R.S.V.P. Trip 1/23/18

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you know why"  

- Mark Twain

The visit to the County Headquarters building to learn about the programs and volunteer opportunities available through the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), You Are Not Alone (YANA), and Legacy Corps was extremely informative. The presenters were engaging and loaded with knowledge to share. Their energy, passion, and dedication was palpable - you could feel how much they enjoyed their work. The Mark Twain saying above is the motto of one of the volunteers who presented and speaks to the motive behind the gratifying work of helping people in our community.

I was amazed to learn that RSVP volunteers serve at 91 sites throughout San Diego County and augment the police and sheriff departments.  They not only patrol neighborhoods and assist in traffic control, incidents and homicide investigations, they will also check on your home while you are on vacation for free as part of the YANA program. In order to work as a volunteer, you must attend a two-week academy,  which includes bomb scare, drug, radio, and elder abuse training. A minimum six-hour per week commitment is required, but you can serve while working around your vacation schedule.

Previously, I had never heard of the Legacy Corps, a free respite program for caregivers, which serves veterans and military families. Volunteers must have some type of connection to the military (prior service or family member who is/was in the service) and undergo a background check, medical check-up, and free CPR, first aid and diversity training before agreeing to an annual commitment of 450 hours of service companionship to give caregivers a break. In exchange, volunteers receive a monthly stipend as well as an annual education award of $1,527, which can be used to pay off a student loan or pay for personal educational costs of a family member.

Visit the website https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/volunteer.html to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the County of San Diego.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ray & Joan KROC Center

Ray & Joan KROC Center 9/5/17 "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."                                                                                                               - John Wayne Met at the Center for a crazy day of Rediscovering San Diego class registration! So much paperwork to take care of before everyone could have a glimpse of the hidden riches waiting to be unearthed. Was surprised by the abundance of people who showed up for a class whose succinct course description in the San Diego Continuing Education Fall 2017 Class Schedule "Rediscovering San Diego is a class to discover, explore and learn about San Diego resources" leaves anonymity about what to expect. Must have heard about the class from someone who previously took the class based on the excitement and enthus
Read more

San Diego International Airport

Image
San Diego International Airport Visit 11/28/17 The visit to the Airport was really enjoyable. Our tour guide, Sharon Gonzales, is a graphic designer for the Airport and she did a great job. I was surprised at the amount of art throughout the Airport both inside and outside (2% of airport expenditures are required to be spent on public art) and the beauty of the terminals. I am always in such a rush when I go to the Airport, focused on getting to my departure gate that I was truly amazed at all that I miss seeing when I am there. The Arts Program includes public art, performing arts, and temporary exhibitions. Each year the Program identifies an exhibition theme relevant to the Airport and invites interested exhibitors to submit proposals, which results in up to 15 different artists presenting their work. The current exhibition, Intergalactic Dreaming, explores space travel and exploration. Some quick facts to share: There are over 7,000 employees who work at the airport, w
Read more

Living Coast Discovery Center

Image
Living Coast Discovery Center 10/24/17 Visit to the Center was pleasing, despite the heat. Our tour guide Stuart was great and did not miss a beat. He shared his love of the place with us and we were lucky to have him as our guide. It turns out that the land was formerly occupied by a gunpowder factory. I had been to the Center (formerly called the Chula Vista Nature Center) years ago, but what a difference it makes when someone is there to inform you of all that is before you. I can't believe I missed so much on my previous visit. Almost all the plants and animals are native to San Diego. You can explore the zoo, aquarium, walking trails, see endangered species of birds like the Clapper Rail, or attend one of the shark, turtle or eagle feedings. Maybe I will return on a Sunday and catch Stuart's 1:00pm free composting class. Other activities include overnight adventures, VIP animal encounters, and wildlife camps. After spending time at the Center, grab a bit
Read more