Senior Volunteer Programs

169 Merrimack St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 654-5080 Ext. 20

Senior Volunteer Programs

Are you 55 or older? Looking for something interesting and fun to do?
Volunteering could be your answer!

Do you enjoy working with children?
Foster Grandparent Program – Foster Grandparents are income-eligible volunteers 55 and older who give their time in schools, day-care facilities, after school programs and Head Start centers. They assist children who need extra help and attention so that they can thrive and succeed. They receive accident and liability insurance while on duty, reimbursement for transportation, monthly training, annual recognition events, and a stipend of $2.65 an hour including holidays, sick leave and vacation time. Volunteers must commit to serving 15 to 40 hours per week.

Do you want to help seniors maintain their independence?
Senior Companion Program – Senior Companions are income-eligible volunteers 55 and older who provide companionship and support to frail elders and disabled adults. They may help with reading mail, grocery shopping, getting to doctor’s appointments and other essential tasks. They may also provide short periods of relief for primary caretakers such as family members. Senior Companions receive accident and liability insurance while on duty, reimbursement for transportation, monthly training, annual recognition events, and a stipend of $2.65 an hour including holidays, sick leave and vacation time. Volunteers must commit to serving 15 to 40 hours per week.

Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer experience?
RSVP - RSVP volunteers must be 55 or older. There is no income requirement, and volunteers have a wide range of opportunities to choose from. They may organize neighborhood watch programs, tutor children, teach English to immigrants, assist victims of natural disasters, and serve their communities in many other ways. Volunteers may be reimbursed for some costs including transportation. CTI has over 300 RSVP volunteers, serving from a few hours a year to a few hours a day.

Spanish speaking volunteers are welcome in all three programs.

For more information about any of these CTI Volunteer Programs, please contact Jane Benfey or Joan Aseltine (978) 654-5080 x22 or x14, or Monica Negron (Spanish speaking) at x20

SENIOR CORPS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
For more information, or for other opportunities,
call Joan Aseltine at 978-654-5080 ext. 14
or e-mail at jaseltine@comteam.org

Long-Term Opportunities- commitment required

Bone Builders, Season 2!!

Want to help other seniors stay healthy? Are you, or someone you know, looking for an exciting volunteer opportunity? This is a nationally known program with well-documented success in reducing falls and fractures.

CTI Senior Corps has a grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation for the Bone Builders fitness and balance program for seniors. Groups meet twice weekly in Greater Lowell. We are recruiting 15 new volunteer leaders who will participate in a day-long training, bi-monthly meetings, and commit to leading classes 2 to 4 hours per week for at least 6 months.

Eight hours of training will be provided in spring, with fitness sessions beginning in May or June. A commitment of 6 months is requested. Contact Joan Aseltine, RSVP Bone Builders Coordinator, at 978-654-5080 ext. 14, for more details.

Other Long-Term Opportunities

Help local non-profits enhance their capacity to serve people in need. Greeting clients and assisting them with paperwork, answering phones or entering information into a computer data base are all skills that are much needed. Programs in need include legal services, foreclosure prevention and basic human needs. A commitment of 2 to 4 hours a week, for a minimum of 3 to 6 months, is desired.

Mentor a child to help him or her succeed in school and in life. In just an hour a week you can make a difference in the life of a child aged 6 to 12. You can be paired with a child who shares your interests; mentoring usually takes place in structured after-school settings. Activities might include homework help, arts and crafts, puzzles or games, health education and physical activity. The bond between adult and child is the most important goal. Mentors should plan on making a one year commitment.

Help improve a child’s grades through After school homework help for youngsters ages 5 to 13, several locations in Lowell, one afternoon per week minimum. Assignments for Foster Grandparent (extra hours) or RSVP.

Help teens or adults improve their English , and learn about other cultures - tutors needed 1 or 2 classes each week.. Training and support provided.

Seasonal Needs – 4 to 12 week commitments that vary from time to time – call for info!

Coats for Kids -- Sort and distribute coats to needy families. Shifts of 2 - 3 hours between 9 AM and 6 PM, late November-early February (one day per week).

Toys for Tots – Help needy families make sure their children get holiday gifts. One evening a week, late November to late December.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) - Help qualified low-income families get the Earned Income Tax Credit. Assist with basic tax returns and free electronic filing. Training in January, tax preparation one evening per week or Saturday morning, from early February until mid-April. Volunteer preparers must complete online training provided by the IRS. Greeters and intake assistants are also needed.

Summer music series at Boardinghouse Park – Selling tickets, handing out information, running the concession booths. Lowell’s summer music series and the annual Folk Festival are famous throughout the region. Early July to Labor Day.

Short-term or Occasional Needs

CTI Family Finance Solutions – This series of evening workshops covers topics such as creating a household budget or understanding your credit report. 2 to 3 volunteers are needed from 5 to 7 pm on occasional Wednesday evenings to register attendees and to hand out and collect evaluation surveys. Workshop presenters are also needed. If you have experience or expertise in Excel or Quicken, or in explaining simple financial concepts, and would enjoy presenting an occasional 1 hour class, we can use your help!

Support non-profits through Fundraising Events, help with large mailings, or supplies drives – the recession and the loss of funding have increased demand for services while making it more difficult for local agencies to meet the needs of our communities. By volunteering at a fundraising event for a local agency, or holding a food, clothing or diaper drive in your own community, you can make a huge difference.

Provide assistance with special projects such as cultural events such as concerts or festivals. These may include either daytime or evening opportunities, typically one or two sessions of a couple of hours each.