United way of east central iowa (uweci) continues to see the impact that volunteers 55 and better make in our communities and is competing for rsvp funding in benton CO

To provide similar impactful resources and volunteers for another of our rural counties. Uweci's 55+ initiative intends to engage at least 75 benton CO. Residents to meet the county?s community needs; serving in cncs approved outcome-based opportunities. Rsvp has been a pillar of service for about 40 years in united way?s service area and is the backbone of united way?s 55+ initiative. We look forward to expanding this work into benton CO. Recruiting and deploying rsvp volunteers in impactful service opportunities. United way?s 55+ initiative will leverage benton county volunteer program?s networks with ours to increase the capacity of our stations to serve benton CO. And diversify volunteer service experience to include but not limited to: tax assistance, tutoring, volunteer engagement capacity building, disaster preparedness, and the unique needs of each community. Uweci has funded volunteer efforts of the benton county volunteer program in support of their small volunteer center which has a primary focus on medical transportation. Uweci will also collaborate with the volunteer services of benton CO. To recruit additional drivers for their transportation program. Rsvp volunteers will support community needs in service activities such as meal delivery, companionship programs, food security, programs focused on education and providing services, distribution of insurance information, building wheelchair ramps and volunteer capacity building; supporting a network of at least 6 stations that deliver output and outcomes in cncs focus areas and objectives. 55+ initiative will connect volunteers with healthy futures, economic opportunity, education, disaster services, and capacity building outcome-based activities. Volunteers will annually increase access to medical care for 40 clients, bring at least $100,000 back to our community in tax returns, help increase academic performance for 20 students, increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and/or program reach for 6 stations. These activities will be done with covid safety precautions and protocols. United way?s current rsvp director will oversee all uweci rsvp programs to ensure synergy between the programs; each program will have an rsvp coordinator that will focus on the unique needs, culture, and individuals in their communities. Due to the 2020 midwest derecho, our planning efforts were derailed when our counties were HIT by an inland hurricane. We will continue to work with local officials and non-profits to identify the unmet needs of the communities. When impactful volunteer roles are defined, we will work with our CSO to add appropriate work plan(s) with cncs approved outputs and outcomes by leveraging proven practices that have been established through rsvp of linn and jones CO. The cncs federal investment of $75,000 will be matched with at least $32, 143 in local non-federal resources.