SENIOR SERVICES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS (SSCI) HAS BEEN A SPONSOR FOR THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP) FOR NEARLY 45 YEARS. SSCI IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SPECIALIZES IN NON-MEDICAL SERVICES TO SENIORS WHO ARE AGE 50 AND OLDER LIVING IN THE SANGAMON, MENARD, MASON AND LOGAN COUNTY AREAS. THE MISSION OF SSCI IS TO SUCCESSFULLY ASSIST SENIORS IN MAINTAINING THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND TO AVOID LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES. CURRENTLY THE RSVP HAS 380 VOLUNTEERS WITH 258 OF THOSE NON-DUPLICATED VOLUNTEERS BEING ACTIVE IN 39 STATIONS. THE VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE THEIR TALENTS BY ASSISTING OLDER ADULTS, LOW INCOME SENIORS, HOMEBOUND SENIORS, DISADVANTAGED YOUTH, TUTORING AND MENTORING ALL AGES AND COLLECTING ITEMS FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS TO SUPPORT OUR MILITARY SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN. DUE TO THE MANY PROGRAMS THAT SSCI HAS IN PLACE FOR SENIORS, THE RSVP'S PRIMARY FOCUS WILL BE HEALTHY FUTURES. THIS FOCUS AREA HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE NUTRITION PROGRAM, MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND ELDER ABUSE PROGRAM. THE OUTCOME FOR THIS FOCUS AREA WILL BE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO NEARLY 1500 SENIORS ANNUALLY. ALL ACTIVITIES IN THIS FOCUS AREA WILL HAVE THE GOAL OF INCREASING THE WELL BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE SENIORS WITHIN THE SANGAMON, MENARD AND LOGAN AREAS. VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO SUPPORT PROGRAMS IN OTHER FOCUS AREAS INCLUDING EDUCATION, VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITY PRIORITIES. RSVP CONTINUES TO PARTICIPATE IN DAYS OF SERVICE AND SENIOR CORPS WEEK TO PROMOTE AWARENESS ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT IS OFFERED THROUGH CNCS. WE ARE REQUESTING $40,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE SANGAMON, MENARD AND LOGAN COUNTY AREAS.