Volunteerism
Your volunteer potential has never been stronger, the need has never been greater, and the time to get involved has never been better!
Since 1973, the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging has supported the community by linking volunteers to service opportunities that suit the volunteers’ talents, interests, and availability. These contributions of skills, knowledge, and experience make a real difference to individuals, nonprofits, faith-based and other community organizations.
And remember: When you volunteer, you're not just helping others - you are helping yourself. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends. Plus, studies show that volunteering helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life.
Get involved!
RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program)
Lead with Experience.
You've gained a lifetime of experience. Now is the time to put your skills and talents to good use by volunteering through RSVP.
RSVP is America's largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over. Join RSVP and you join nearly 500,000 volunteers across the country who are tackling though issues in their communities.
RSVP offers a full range of volunteer opportunities with thousands of local and national organizations.
With RSVP, you choose how and where you ant to serve. You choose the amount of time you want to give. And you choose weather you want to draw on your skills or develop new ones. In short, you find the opportunity that's right for you.
RSVP = Results. Whatever you choose to do, you'll be making a real difference. Stronger families, cleaner water, safer communities. With RSVP, you'll see tangible outcomes and learn first hand how your contributions can change your community.
In 1973, the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging brought RSVP to Lincoln and Lancaster County. RSVP was established on a national level in 1971 and is now part of Senior Corps, along with Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and the Senior Companion Program (SCP). Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National & Community Service, and independent federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their country.
Examples of volunteer service:
- Mobilize other volunteers.
- Deliver meals to elderly and ill residents in your neighborhood.
- Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
- Mentor a young person to help them achieve a personal goal.
- Tutor children in reading and math.
- Teach English to immigrants.
- Renovate homes.
- Help to build houses with families in need.
- Share legal or financial expertise.
- Assist victims of natural disasters.
- Clean up the environment.
- Help local nonprofits by fundraising, recruiting other volunteers, serving on their boards, or contributing other skills you may have.
- And much, much, more!
Qualifications:
- A desire to make a contribution to our community
- Volunteers must be 55 and over
Benefits:
- Make an impact on significant community needs
- Pre-service orientation
- Training from the organization where you serve
- Supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty
- Recognition event
Application to Get Involved with RSVP!
Quarterly time sheet.
To find out more, call LAAA Volunteer Programs at (402) 441-7026.
Get involved!
Foster Grandparent Program
Share Today. Shape Tomorrow.
When you share your love, time, and experience, you have the power to help a child who needs you.
As a Foster Grandparent, you’re a role model, a mentor, and a friend. Serving at one of thousands of local organizations—including faith-based groups, Head Start Centers, schools, and other youth facilities—you help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives. Put simply, you give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future.
If you’re 60 and over and want to share your experience and compassion, you have what it takes to be a Foster Grandparent. Foster Grandparents must serve at least 15 hours per week and may serve up to 40 hours per week. Some volunteers may qualify to earn a tax-free, hourly stipend. With Foster Grandparents, you’ll receive pre-service orientation, training from the organization where you serve, and supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty.
In 1997, the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging brought the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) to Lincoln and Lancaster County. FGP was established on a national level in 1965 and is now part of Senior Corps, along with RSVP and the Senior Companion Program (SCP). Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National & Community Service, an independent federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their country.
Examples of volunteer service:
- Provide one-on-one support to children and youth in schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and child care centers.
- Tutoring.
- Read to students.
- Review schoolwork.
- Reinforce values.
- Teach parenting skills to young parents.
- Care for premature infants and children with disabilities.
Qualifications:
- a desire to make a contribution to our community
- a desire to serve as one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs
- volunteers must be 60 and over
- able and willing to serve at least 15 hours per week
- may serve up to 40 hours per week
- in good enough physical and mental health to be able to serve
Benefits:
- making a difference in the lives of children and youth in our community
- pre-service orientation
- training and education
- recognition events
- meals while on duty
- mileage reimbursement or bus pass
- supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty
- those who meet certain income guidelines receive a small stipend with vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
Application to Get Involved with FGP!
Monthly time sheet for those already involved with FGP.
To find out more, call LAAA Volunteer Programs at (402) 441-7026.
Guardian & Conservators Program
Due to advanced age and impairments, some older people experience difficult managing their financial and personal affairs. The Lincoln Chapter of The Omaha Guardian/Conservator Program was formed to help find volunteers that were willing to become guardians and or conservators for older adults in the community. This is a non profit program which will help adults 50 and over who are disabled, have no family and no funds to act on their behalf as guardian/Conservator.
The community has identified the lack of Guardians/Conservators as one of the most difficult problems facings agencies, hospitals, and the courts. Area attorneys are handling as many as 30-50 cases that are in need of this service. If you are an older adult and you are ill and unable to make reasonable decisions for yourself and without an interested family member, you can and may end up homeless or without food or medical care.
Volunteers are trained and supported by two attorneys, case managers and other agency contacts within the community to be Guardian/Conservators. The older adults which are served in this program could be in a nursing home, assisted living facility or in the community. Regular trainings are held on issues pertaining to court paperwork and other services in the community. A quarterly meeting is held to meet with the volunteers and discuss case issues. Volunteers get the opportunity to interact with each other and learn about all the different situations that they are involved.
If you are interested in an important volunteer opportunity or know of an older person who is struggling with the management of their daily affairs, contact Joanne Farrell at the LIFE Office, 402-441-7070.
Ombudsman Program
Ombudsmen are highly trained advocates that utilizes negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills. Volunteers visit residents that live in nursing homes and assisted living communities to listen to their needs and concerns. An initial 20 hour training is required to prepare new volunteers to become effective Nebraska State Certified Ombudsmen. Become part of a reputable program that is helping improve the lives and quality of care of vulnerable adults. Volunteers determine their own flexible work schedule by working only two hours per week in their designated facility. This is ideal for those who are still in the work force, college students looking for professional work experience, and community focused retired individuals. Nursing Home Ombudsman Advocates Are specially trained and certified volunteers who provide friendship, assistance and advocacy to residents of nursing facilities. An Ombudsman Advocate helps residents in long-term care facilities and assisted living communities by investigating any concerns or complaints the resident may have. Advocates play a mediating and negotiating role on behalf of the resident to resolve any problems.
Get involved!
Senior Companion Program
Make Independence a Reality.
You know how much you value independence in your life. Now you can help others stay independent too.
Families in every community struggle to care for their loved ones. By becoming a companion to a frail person, you help that person stay in their own home. Whether you’re giving family caregivers much-needed time off for respite, running errands, or simply being a friend, you’ll make a difference that strengthens and helps preserve an individual’s independence. And you’ll join with thousands of others to help control the rising costs of health care.
If you’re 60 and older and want to share your experience and compassion, you have what it takes to be a Senior Companion. Senior Companions must serve at least 15 hours per week and may serve up to 40 hours per week. Some volunteers may qualify to earn a tax-free, hourly stipend. With Senior Companions, you’ll receive pre-service orientation, training from the organization where you serve, and supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty.
In 1989, the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging brought the Senior Companion Program (SCP) to the eight county region served by LAAA including Lincoln and Lancaster County. SCP was established on a national level in 1974 and is now part of Senior Corps, along with the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and RSVP. Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National & Community Service, an independent federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their country.
Examples of volunteer service:
- Provide friendship and companionship.
- Assist with daily living tasks, such as grocery shopping and bill paying.
- Provide transportation.
- Assistance with meal preparation.
- Alert doctors and family members to potential problems.
- Provide respite to family caregivers.
Qualifications:
- a desire to make a contribution to our community
- a desire to help frail seniors and other adults maintain independence primarily in the clients’ own homes
- volunteers must be over the age of 60
- able and willing to serve at least 15 hours per week
- may serve up to 40 hours per week
- in good enough physical and mental health to be able to serve
Benefits:
- helping adults remain independent in our community
- pre-service orientation
- training and education
- recognition events
- meals while on duty
- mileage reimbursement or bus pass
- supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty
- those who meet certain income guidelines receive a small stipend with vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
Application to Get Involved with SCP!
Monthly time sheet for those already involved with SCP.
To find out more, call LAAA Volunteer Programs at (402) 441-7026.
If you are interested in the companionship from a Senior Companion in Lincoln or Lancaster County: click here.
If you are interested in the companionship from a Senior Companion in Butler, Fillmore, Polk, Saline, Saunders, Seward, or York Counties: click here.
View the Senior Companion Brochure.
SHIIP
Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging's (LAAA's) eight county service area. For assistance with Medicare questions, supplies of SHIIP forms, SHIIP Medicare hand outs. Drug Discount Card. For more information please call 1-800-234-7119.
View the SHIIP brochure.
Widowed Persons Service
History of WPS
In March of 1982, a community meeting was held to determine the need for a support system for newly widowed people. The decision was made to move forward and Widowed Persons Service was started and placed under the umbrella of the Aging Services Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, and also sponsored by Aging Services LIFE office (the Lincoln Information For the Elderly), the Community Mental Health Center, the Cooperative Health Organization, and the AARP Senior Employment Program. Today it is sponsored locally by Aging Services Volunteer Programs and nationally by AARP.
WPS is an outreach program for newly widowed people sponsored by AARP and locally by Lincoln Area Agency on Aging RSVP. Trained volunteers who have lost a spouse contact the newly widowed offering support, helpful information, encouragement, and socialization. WPS also sponsors several groups which include: WPS Friendship Group; Just Pals; Widow's Breakfast, Widow's Luncheon, and Widower's Breakfast. If you would like to be a WPS volunteer, call Laurie McAdams at 441-6101.