Southeastern community college (SCC) serves as the sponsor of the retired senior volunteers program (rsvp) for columbus county and IT has served in this capacity since 1973

Southeastern Community College (SCC) will provide volunteer engagement services through the $447,431 AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Grants Management. Over the three year project period from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024, SCC's RSVP program will engage a minimum of 103 volunteers ages 55 and older to provide assistance in disaster services, economic opportunities, education, environmental stewardship, and health futures. Volunteers will help residents affected by disasters, provide academic support to children and adult learners, conduct wellness checks and medical transportation for seniors, and participate in environmental conservation projects. The grant combines $102,528 in annual federal funding with $20,000 in local matching funds and an estimated $27,206 in non-federal in-kind support from SCC.

SCC's rsvp federal budget has increased 10% due to the augmentation grant. During the current funding 2019-2020 funding cycle, 174 active rsvp volunteers provided assistance at 27 volunteer stations. Due to covid 19, alternative activities/jobs have been performed by the active volunteers which include making masks and gowns, sending cards and continuing to call and check on the sick and the disabled. These approved activities have enabled the rsvp volunteers to remain engaged in their communities through valuable alternative community services. Based on the cncs funding formula, SCC's rsvp program will have 103 active volunteers (minimum) in the new 3 year grant cycle. The volunteers will serve in a variety of focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunities, education, environmental stewardship and healthy futures. Rsvp plans to assist residents that may have been effected by a disaster and who may need additional resources such as housing, food or shelter. The program will educate the general public, as well as the rsvp volunteers, on financial literacy by offering classes on fraud and scams as well as developing savings plans. Our program will increase academic performance of adults and children by using various instructional methods to teach children 0-4 YRS. Older, k-12 as well as individuals seeking to earn a high school equivalency diploma. Volunteers will assist in environmental stewardship by improving waterways, assisting with construction of ramps and rails for residents and providing food for those in need. Volunteers will transport seniors/disabled residents to doctor appointments as well as perform wellness checks. SCC's proposes to receive an annual cncs federal award of $102,528 which will be supplemented with $20,000 from local county funds and approximate $27,206 in non federal in-kind support provided by SCC.