Warner & Kaine Announce more than $320,000 for National Service in Virginia

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced $322,855 in federal funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) – the federal agency for volunteering and service – to expand the impact of national service in Richmond, Roanoke, Christiansburg, and Tazewell, Va. The funding, awarded through a Senior Corps grant competition, will support 831 Virginia volunteers in the RSVP Program – one of America’s largest volunteer networks for people 55 and older.

“We are happy to announce that this funding will support a number of Virginia organizations in engaging seniors to help strengthen our communities,” said the Senators.

The funding will be awarded as below.

The RSVP Program, one of the largest volunteer networks for people 55 and over, engages volunteers to use their skills and experience to tackle a diverse range of activities. Volunteers recruit and manage other volunteers, mentor and tutor disadvantaged children, respond to natural disasters, support workforce development by providing job readiness training, offer free tax preparation, and more.

Senior Corps opens doors for Americans who might not otherwise have the opportunity to serve their community due to financial or other barriers. While serving, Senior Corps volunteers also improve their own lives, staying active and healthy through service. A growing body of research points to mental and physical health benefits associated with volunteering, including lower mortality rates, increased strength and energy, decreased rates of depression, and fewer physical limitations.

Senior Corps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which engages millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year through its Senior Corps and AmeriCorps programs and leads volunteer and civic engagement initiatives for the nation. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.

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