Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1008482
14 LIVE IT UP! FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL S ince the inception of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County over 50 years ago, the organization has maintained a host of programs supporting seniors. At the heart of each program has been the drive to help seniors remain actively engaged in the life of the community through volunteerism, providing opportunities for community connections, and enhancing local seniors' ability to remain independent as they age. Among their Senior Programs, the Volunteer Center has been a hub for the National Senior Corps Program known as the Monterey Bay Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for more than 30 years. RSVP is a national service program for Americans 55 years and older where volunteers commit their time to address critical community needs. Each year Senior Corps Programs like RSVP engage more than 220,000 older adults in providing community service across the country. At the local level, the Volunteer Center RSVP program works with more than 300 volunteers annually from the Tri-County areas of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties and in the last year these individuals provided 76,235 hours of service. "Older adults in our community are leading the way with their acts of kindness and their participation. Our RSVP volunteers provide an invaluable service to local agencies by sharing their lifetime of skills, talents, and knowledge. Last year they gave their time to 52 local agencies," states Volunteer Center Senior Programs Director Tara Ireland. "AND, It turns out this giving is not only good for our community but it is also good for giver. Researchers have discovered giving not only makes you feel better, it CONTINUES ON 15 CHRISTINE LOEWE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SERVICE Local Seniors Provide a Lifetime of Experience Through Seniors Supporting Seniors Through the Volunteer Center Transportation Program Photo by Linda Tullett