Christiansburg is one of four localities to receive a combined $322,855 in federal funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) made the funding announcement jointly Friday. The money was awarded through a Senior Corps grant competition. It will support 831 Virginia volunteers in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), 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 package includes $56,043 designated for Christiansburg to be granted to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
The funding bill also grants $161,366 to the Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc., for use in North Tazewell, $47,000 to the Council of Community Services in Roanoke, and $58,446 to Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging, in Richmond.
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.
