Seniors remian active and involved

RSVP of San Francisco recognizes that the elderly are one of this city’s most vital resources. The organization draws people from all walks of life – former doctors, clerks, housewives, chemists – who share one thing in common: they are all age 55 or over. And for some, they have for the first time in their busy lives the extra time to share their perspective, insight and skills with others in need.

Barbara Marre, a senior director for RSVP, said their volunteers work with upwards of 80 non-profit organizations in San Francisco, ranging from ushering the San Francisco Ballet to teaching low-income youth reading skills. Volunteering at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is one popular opportunity as it offers both free museum admission and a generous gift shop discount. The California Highway Patrol is another exciting partner organization. Through the CHP, elderly volunteers assist with replenishing EMT kits, participate in ride-alongs and process traffic violation documents.

RSVP also has pioneered a program that educates elderly people about elder fraud and identity theft. Many scam artists specifically target elderly San Franciscans in hopes of defrauding them of their property or identity. Marre said the Department of Corporations approached RSVP to champion this elder fraud abuse program because of its unique position in empathizing with older people.

“It has been very successful … we’ve reached a lot of people in this way,” Marre said.

Through RSVP, retired businessmen and bankers work to educate other elderly people about these horrible crimes in retirement homes and independent living facilities.

Although the elder fraud abuse program is an example of a regular volunteer commitment, Marre remembers the Earth Day expedition to Angel Island as a special annual opportunity. This past April 22, a group of 10 RSVP volunteers chartered a special boat to garden on the island. Digging through a batch of geraniums and other flowers, the adventurous group weeded an entire section of the flower garden. After the gardening was completed, the RSVP volunteers surprised Marre by taking a long walk around the island.

Unlike ordinary volunteer coordinating services, RSVP ensures that volunteer applications reach their targeted organization.

“Here we are a full-service operation,” Marre said. “We do the calling and the initiating with the non-profit organization,” pushing “things along the way” by screening the organizations, sending in applications and following up after the application has been submitted.

By arranging speaker events and educational opportunities, RSVP also tries to offer a sense of community for members. Recently, a speaker gave an informative and well-attended lecture on genealogy and genealogical history for RSVP volunteers. Additionally, there is an annual “thank you” party to honor the volunteers’ generous service.

As the baby boomer generation enters retirement, Marre said she hopes they will become involved and active in community service through RSVP. She is always looking for new volunteers and highlights a number of upcoming volunteer opportunities, one being the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is seeking older volunteers to help with making posters and set-up July 10-12. Many public schools and community centers also are seeking older tutors this time of year to assist in reading and math skills.

“We are affiliated with several tutoring programs that work primarily younger kids … we would really like to see people signing up so when school starts you can hit the ground running,” Marre said. “There have been a lot of studies, which show that older people working with younger children has a positive affect on both of them … we think it’s a win-win for both parties.”
For more information on volunteering or the organization, visit rsvpsf.org or call (415) 474-4487.