The partnership between the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and United Way works to keep seniors active and social while providing an opportunity to engage with Crookston’s Youth. RSVP uses funding from the United Way to operate their Groceries to Go, Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) and Reading Buddy Programs.
Groceries to Go is a volunteer-based shopping and delivery service for seniors age 60 and over. Its purpose is to help seniors remain safely and independently in their home as long as possible by arranging volunteers who will shop for or with a senior at least twice a month. The volunteer will often help put away groceries and spend time visiting with the senior creating lasting friendships. One of the Grocery to Go clients said about their weekly interaction with the volunteer, “It’s one of the best days of the week for me.”
SAIL classes, offered twice a week to seniors 55 years of age and up, focuses on keeping seniors physically active and engaged in the community. Of the six, and soon seven, different course types offered one of the more popular programs is Falls Prevention. The class uses ankle weights to strengthen bones and muscles.
A survey showed 97 percent of seniors participating in SAIL indicated improved balance, 100 percent felt more informed on health issues and 98 percent of the participants in Wellness Literacy were able to put what they learned to action in their every day lives. Performing exercises that improve and maintain strength, balance, and fitness are the single most important activity seniors can do to stay active and reduce their risk of falling. One participant in SAIL had this to say about the early return of positive benefits from the program, “I used to see the chiropractor every two weeks. It’s been two to three months since the I last had to go.
The Ready Buddy Program uses seniors as volunteers in classrooms for an hour each week giving students individual attention, fostering comprehension and literacy skills that create literacy growth, confidence and boost self-esteem for elementary age students. Senior volunteers make a difference in their community by impacting the academic performance and behavior by connecting students with caring adults. A volunteer in the program said, “This program is fantastic, it is so rewarding to see how the children progress throughout the year.”
