Project Grant 17SRNMN005

AN ESTIMATED 1,987 UNDUPLICATED RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE. OF THIS NUMBER, 226 UNDUPLICATED RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS AND 51 UNDUPLICATED RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDING 3 UNDUPLICATED VOLUNTEERS SERVING AT A MATTER OF BALANCE (MOB) AND CHRONIC DISEASE SELF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CDSMP) SITES, AND 48 UNDUPLICATED VOLUNTEERS SERVING AT RSVP BONE BUILDERS SITES. IN ADDITION TO THE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM ASSIGNMENTS, SOME OF THE OTHER VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE FOOD DELIVERY, FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT, SERVING/SUPPORTING VETERANS, INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE, AND COMPANIONSHIP. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES. AT THE END OF THE 3-YEAR GRANT, THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES ARE ANTICIPATED: * OLDER ADULTS, HOME-BOUND ADULTS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EXPERIENCING INCREASED SOCIAL SUPPORTS THROUGH FOOD DELIVERY AND COMPANIONSHIP SERVICES * INCREASED FOOD SECURITY THROUGH CNCS-SUPPORTED VOLUNTEER SERVICES * AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS PARTICIPATING IN HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS * VETERANS BEING ASSISTED BY CNCS-SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERS * INCREASED FINANCIAL LITERACY THROUGH TAX PREPARATION SERVICES THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $74,742 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH $316,854 OF NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES WHICH COME FROM LOCAL, STATE AND OTHER FUNDS, AND INCLUDES THE REQUIRED MATCH OF $32,032. THE SELF-SPONSORED, LEGAL APPLICANT IS A.C.E. OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA. OUR MISSION IS TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES BY EDUCATING, CONNECTING, AND ADVOCATING WITH AN EMPHASIS ON VOLUNTEERISM AND INDEPENDENT LIVING. OUR ORGANIZATION SERVES 7 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA, AND IT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1972. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (JOINT POWERS BOARD) MEETS MONTHLY AND PROVIDES OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT AS WELL AS FINANCIAL SUPPORT (PER CAPITA, FACILITIES AND SPACE). OUR FINANCIAL AND DATABASE SUPPORT SERVICES ARE COMPLETED BY SOUTHWEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STAFF, PER AN ANNUAL CONTRACT. A.C.E. OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA EMPLOYS AN EXECUTIVE/PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND 7 PROGRAM COORDINATORS. OUR 2016 YEAR-END REPORT WILL INDICATE THAT AT LEAST 2,122 ENROLLED VOLUNTEERS WERE ACTIVE. AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2016, THE CUMULATIVE COST PER HOUR OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE YEAR TO DATE WAS $1.44/HOUR. IN 2016, OUR RSVP VOLUNTEERS RECORDED MORE THAN 242,000 HOURS OF SERVICE AT 350 STATIONS.