Project Grant 21SRFNH001

THE FRIENDS PROGRAM IS A NON-PROFIT HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY OPERATING SINCE 1975 WITH FOUR PROGRAMS: A YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM, EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR FAMILIES, FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM AND RSVP - RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. OUR MISSION IS TO "STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE, ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND RESTORE FAITH IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT." AN ESTIMATED 515 RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE. OF THIS NUMBER, 225 RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. SOME OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, BONE BUILDERS, FOOD DISTRIBUTION, COMPANIONSHIP, AND YOUTH MENTORING. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, FRIENDS RSVP WILL BE MEETING THE NEEDS OF NH SENIORS WITH 225 VOLUNTEERS SERVING IN THE IMPACT AREAS OF AGING IN PLACE, ACCESS TO CARE, AND OBESITY AND FOOD. WE WILL WORK WITH OVER 100 COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO INCREASE SOCIAL TIES AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS OF HOMEBOUND OR OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; INCREASE FOOD SECURITY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS; AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SENIORS WHO EXPERIENCE INCREASED STRENGTH, BETTER BALANCE, MORE ENERGY, AND ENHANCED FEELINGS OF WELLBEING THROUGH FRIENDS RSVP BONE BUILDERS PROGRAM. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $149,811 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $108,596 IN LOCAL FUNDS. THIS GRANT WILL ASSIST FRIENDS RSVP IN MEETING COMMUNITY NEEDS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, RESULTING IN BETTER OUTCOMES IN HEALTH AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR SENIORS, THE DISABLED, VETERANS AND FAMILIES; INCREASING CAPACITY AT LOCAL NONPROFITS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES; INCREASING FOOD SECURITY; AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS FOR CHILDREN.