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RSVP's mission is to make a positive impact in the community by recruiting volunteers 55 and older to help deliver priority services to people of all ages, providing Dane County with a valuable resource.
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Volunteering & Social Isolation:
Reach Out -- You'll Live Longer!
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S
ocial researchers have long known that loneliness can be a health risk and that people who develop a network of people in their lives, tend to live longer, healthier lives.
Because RSVP is a volunteer placement agency, we are often in the position to witness how getting involved scores a win for both volunteers and the people they're helping.
A survey of volunteers that was conducted by our national office, the Corporation for National and Community Service, found that after just one year of volunteer service:
- Nearly half of the Senior Corps volunteers reported improved health and well-being, and more than one-third initially reporting they were in good health, reported improved health at the end of the one-year period.
- Almost two-thirds of Senior Corps volunteers reported a decrease in feelings of isolation, and 67% of those who first reported they "often" lack companionship, reported improved social connections.
- Seventy percent of Senior Corps volunteers who initially reported five or more symptoms of depression reported fewer symptoms at the end of the first year, while 63% of volunteers initially reporting three or four symptoms of depression also reported fewer symptoms.
Locally, a 2016 survey of RSVP drivers, showed the personal value the drivers place on their volunteer work, which is well represented by the comment of one respondent who shared, "It not only helps the elderly remain in their homes longer, but gives some purpose to my existence as well. It feels good to be able to help others."
Additionally, people who volunteer in Dane County schools were surveyed about their volunteer experiences in 2017 and shared similar sentiments of belonging: "It makes me feel like part of the solution," said one. "It definitely helped me maintain a sense of purpose and self-worth after retirement," added another.
During the course of the coming months, RSVP will be looking at what role volunteering plays in combating social isolation -- we invite you along as we explore this topic -- look for more in the upcoming newsletters. And for goodness sake, if you're not already volunteering, think hard about helping your health out by volunteering now.
For more about volunteering's benefits and opportunities available, tune into Senior Beat during the month of May, when they will explore Intergenerational Programs in a conversation with Laurie Bibo, Intergenerational Coordinator with the Madison Senior Center, and Shelby Connell, Intergenerational Program Coordinator with RSVP of Dane County.
They talk about the positive impact of intergenerational programming and how to get involved. Janet Bollig with SSM Health at Home also speaks about the problem of social isolation among seniors.
Senior Beat airs in May: Tuesdays at 12:30pm, Wednesdays at 4:30pm, Fridays at 12:00pm, and Saturdays at 4:30pm on Madison City Channel (Charter Analog 98, Charter Digital 994 and AT&T U-verse 99).
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Triad Safety Conference 2018:
"Keys to a Safer Life"
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afety has become a front-of-the-mind issue for all of us -- in our homes and cars, on our phones and computers, dealing with our finances and travels, it sometimes seems like a whole new world out there. And the more we know about how to protect ourselves, the better off we are!
Learn more about these pressing issues and more at the 16th RSVP/Triad and Triad of Wisconsin's Crime Prevention and Safety Conference on September 28, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at American Family Insurance Training Center in Madison, WI.
The conference, titled "Keys to a Safer Life," will focus on learning to keep ourselves and those we care about safe. Trudy Gregorie, National Adult Protective Services Assn. Executive Director, will be a featured speaker.
Participants can choose from a wide variety of workshops, including: Scams/Frauds, Hoarding Task Forces, Peer Bullying in Senior Facilities, Loneliness and Elders, Elder Victim Services/Elder Abuse Coalitions, Prescription and Illegal Drugs/Opioids/Meth, Dementia Friendly Communities/Memory Cafes, Estate Planning/Final arrangements and Frauds, Issues in Long-term Care Facilities, Personal Safety, How to Organize/Maintain a Triad, and Active Shooter Training.
The event includes a continental breakfast, lunch, vendor exhibits and workshops.
The cost is $25 for those registered by August 15, and $35 for those registered after August 15.
For more information, contact Mary Stamstad, mstamstad@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7897.
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Bus Buddy Volunteers Win
Distinguished Service Award
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C
ongratulations to RSVP of Dane County's Bus Buddy Coordinators for winning the United Way of Dane County 2018 Distinguished Service Award.
Pictured from left to right: Susan Morrison, Heather Johnson, Bruce Verhelst, Angela Haskin.
Bus Buddy Coordinators accompany new senior bus riders to teach them how to get around town on the Madison Metro bus system, providing them with the confidence they need to use this low-cost transportation that's available to them seven days a week! Along with one-on-one coaching, the program hosts group Bus Buddy Tours each Spring/Summer that transform a bus ride into a social event (see calendar of events) that participants really enjoy.
Congrats to our Bus Buddy Coordinators and the Bus Buddy Program for helping seniors find their way around town!
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Meet Mary Brown, RSVP's New
Foster Grandparent Coordinator
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Foster Grandparents pictured left to right, front row: Pat Everhart, Mary Brown, Charlotte Rankin and back row, Linda Walter, Larry Orr, Judy Rubiel-Perez.
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My
name is Mary Elizabeth Brown. I am the new Foster Grandparent Coordinator. Since retiring as a federal employee, I have been an active volunteer with a number of nonprofit organizations. I have volunteered with the NAACP-Dane, NAACP-Wisconsin, Tenant Resource Center, YWCA, and, of course, RSVP.
Retirement and volunteering with nonprofits, especially RSVP, has allowed me to continue advocating for seniors by serving as a resource.
Knowing how fulfilling my volunteer work has been, I was excited to have the opportunity to join RSVP as the new Foster Grandparent Coordinator.
In addition to my volunteer interests, I regularly spend time with family and friends. A real bonus discovered during retirement has also been the joy of being a member of the African American Genealogy Group of Madison. We have spent more than 11 years writing family stories. We published our book two years ago. Along the way, we donated copies of our book to all city of Madison public libraries, wrote and received a Dane County Arts Grant and gave public presentations to tell our story. We were more than happy to share our stories with others in the Madison area.
As our reward for a job well-done, we decided to treat ourselves to a Washington, DC trip to tour the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. While we actively research this trip, I have planned some summer travels for a family reunion with a side trip to the newest museum in Montgomery, Alabama, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum.
I look forward to meeting more Madison residents who just might be interested in discovering the joys of volunteerism. Perhaps a mentor/tutor with the Foster Grandparent Program will be just the ticket for fulfilling your retirement years.
If you are interested in learning more about the Foster Grandparent Program, please contact me by email at
Mbrown@rsvpdane.org
or call me at (608) 661-4271.
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Thanks to our major Sponsors
MG&E and
Ho-Chunk Nation
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Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Dane County
517 N. Segoe Rd., Ste. 300,
Madison WI 53705
608-238-7787
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Important Dates
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RSVP Office Closed:
 Mon., May 28
Memorial Day
In Honor of all the soldiers who laid down their lives in service to our nation.
Wednesday, July 4
Independence Day
Bus Buddy Tours:
Madison Children's Museum
Thurs., May 17
Museum tour & hands-on fun followed by lunch in the cafe.
Wisconsin History Museum
Tues., June 19
Explore museum exhibits, followed by l
unch & concert
on the C
apital Square.
Vitense Golfland
Wed., July 18
Play a round of miniature golf followed by a light lunch.
Chazen Museum of Art
Thurs., August 16
Tour museum followed
by lakeside lunch
at the UW Memorial Union
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Travel Safety
Wed., May 23
10:30 a.m.
Ed Mani, Burkhalter Travel
6501 Mineral Point, Madison
Gangs
Wed., July 25
11:30 a.m.
Emily House, Madison Police Dept.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
5701 Raymond Rd. Madison
Cottage Grove Triad:
Living with Anxiety, Depression & other Mental Health Issues
Tues., May 22
10:00 a.m.
Kathryn Mellom, NAMI
Taylor Ridge Senior Apts.
510 Westlawn Dr., Cottage Grove
We All Forget: Is it Normal Aging or Should I be Concerned?
Thurs., June 26
10:00 a.m.
Speaker TBD
Taylor Ridge Senior Apts.
510 Westlawn Dr., Cottage Grove
Dogs On Call
Tues., August 28
10:00 a.m.
Artie Bernig, Vice President
Taylor Ridge Senior Apts.
510 Westlawn Dr., Cottage Grove
Verona Triad
Human Trafficking
Mon., May 21
10:00 a.m.
Tod Dosher, Dane Co. Sheriff's Office
Verona Senior Center
108 Paoli St., Verona
Ombudsman Program
Mon., June 4
10:00 a.m.
Jill Melville, WI Board on Aging and Long-term Care
Verona Senior Center
108 Paoli St., Verona
For more information, contact
Visit RSVP at Walgreens
Senior Discount Days
RSVP distributes File of Life packets & other info at Walgreens each month. Stop by to
enjoy the senior discount!
June 5
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at
Verona Rd. & Cottage Grove Rd. Walgreens
July 3
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
at
Northport Dr. & Mineral Point Rd. Walgreens
August 7
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at
S. Park St. & Raymond Rd.
Walgreens
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2018 Sweepstakes
are Here!!!
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A Tisket, A Tasket
You could Win a Basket
in RSVP's Sweepstakes.
Watch your mail for your entry form or go to our website to enter to win one of six amazing prize baskets! Click here to go to our website.
Our Sweepstakes drawing will be held Monday, June 18, 2018. You need not be present to win.
A contribution is not necessary to enter or win, but would be appreciated. Winners will be notified by phone and/or mail.
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Volunteer Now!
Current Opportunities
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