Volunteer Fairfax and the RSVP team continue to monitor the situation with AmeriCorps in general, and AmeriCorps Seniors programming in particular. We do this by following the news, receiving email updates from AmeriCorps directly, and by participating in monthly Technical Assistance (TA) calls with AmeriCorps Seniors staff.  

Because of restructuring within AmeriCorps, these TA calls have become our primary lifeline to submit questions that we previously would have sent to our AmeriCorps portfolio manager, and they are where we receive the most up-to-date information from AmeriCorps Seniors staff. For example, we recently learned that no new monitoring or audits of individual AmeriCorps Seniors programs will happen this year and that we are still waiting for Congress to approve grant funding for next year.  

While there is much confusion and a lot of uncertainty, it's clear that we aren't going anywhere. While program staff across the country, including at Volunteer Fairfax, evaluate the benefits of continuing with AmeriCorps Seniors funding, we will continue to show up. We will continue to organize our Welcome Wednesday and Group Service Projects, we will continue to connect helping hands with partners in need, and we will continue to join together to make Northern Virginia the neighborhood we want it to be.  

We at Volunteer Fairfax continue to be in awe of the commitment and kindness that you all show to your neighbors in Northern Virginia, and we are committed to organizing opportunities to let that continue to shine.  

I would love to answer any questions that you might have about Volunteer Fairfax's role as the host agency for the RSVP-NOVA program or provide any further details (as best as I can) regarding the AmeriCorps Seniors programming in general. Feel free to email me or book some time on my calendar for a check-in!  

Warmest regards, 

Mayjean Deem - Senior Director, Volunteer Fairfax 

Authorized Representative RSVP-NOVA 

Book time to meet with me

Volunteers Spotlight: What’s the Recent Buzz 

Presidential Awards

You may remember that last year Volunteer Fairfax/RSVP signed up for the Presidential Service Awards (PSA) program to honor our volunteers who make SUCH a big difference in NOVA. Well, unfortunately, the PSA has fallen victim to one of many government cuts and is “temporarily paused.”  

We’d been planning an ice cream social in the fall (which is coming up soon!) to hand out PSAs and celebrate our volunteers who have given so generously of their time and talents. We still want to do something this year and we’ve been looking into other accolades that are recognized by a larger audience than Northern Virginia.

Serve Virginia has a statewide list, and Points of Light has a daily honoree. We’ve also been thinking of just making our own awards … but to be honest you ALL – every single one of you – deserve our gratitude and deserve to be celebrated. We do that at the annual Bites & Bubbly, of course, but we’re thinking of something else as well. So, we’ll see, and so will you!

Coffee Chats  

Are you ready to enjoy a leisurely mid-morning cup of coffee while learning about the incredible and supportive work of RSVP volunteer station partners and what they're doing to help our neighbors throughout the community? Beginning in early September and continuing on a regular basis, RSVP will host Coffee Chats. These chats have been added to RSVP programming so that volunteers can create connections and build relationships while strengthening the nonprofit network.  

During these informal Zoom sessions, representatives from volunteer station partners will be present to help us understand the nuts and bolts of their organizations, how volunteers support their work, and how social service organizations are navigating a dynamic and challenging environment marked by economic uncertainty and other shifts.  

Though we will be gathering virtually and can enjoy our own cups of coffee while doing so, as an incentive to those gathered, we'll be giving away Starbucks gift cards to each of the partner organizations participating and to some lucky RSVP volunteers through a random drawing of those in attendance.  

As we get the chats on the calendar, we would appreciate hearing from you as to the best days and times for us to offer them. If you think that you may want to participate in one or more of these sessions over the next months, please click on this survey (Virtual Coffee Chat Survey) to share of your availability. We're hoping to find the best time and then consistently schedule the sessions, like we have done with our Welcome Wednesday events.  



Seize this opportunity to bring your curiosity and empathy as together we listen, learn, and engage!   

As our team remains small, we are continually exploring tools to help us better connect with you. One such tool, as you may already know and have been using, is our electronic timesheet system. We truly appreciate your continued use of this tool, as it greatly speeds up our internal processes when collecting information about the incredible work you do. 

If you haven’t used the electronic timesheets yet and would like to give it a try, you can access it here: RSVP Volunteer Timesheet. 

We're also expanding our online resources to include electronic calendar schedules and online surveys. These tools will help us quickly gather availability for projects and events, while making it easy for you to share your opinions and feedback. 

Our next initiative will be the virtual Coffee Chats, and we’d love your input! Please complete our brief online survey to share your preferred day(s) and time(s). The survey will be available until August 22nd and can be accessed at Virtual Coffee Chat Survey. 

We’re also creating a SignUpGenius page to help confirm attendance for activities like Welcome Wednesdays and Connection Conversations. SignUpGenius is an online platform that makes it easy to create and share sign-up forms for events, volunteer shifts, and other opportunities, simplifying the registration process for everyone. 

While we value the efficiency of staying connected online, we also want to emphasize how much we value personal connections. We are always happy to see you at our Welcome Wednesday gatherings and other events, and we truly appreciate the dedication and hard work you bring to our community.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at rsvp@volunteerfairfax.org. Thank you for being such an important part of RSVP. Your time, energy, and commitment make all the difference. 

Embracing Intimacy in the Aging Journey: A Holistic View for Seniors

By RSVP Volunteer, Cynthia Austin MD MPH FACOG  

Healthy Women’s Care, Alexandria VA 

As we age, many things change — our bodies, our routines, our priorities. But one thing that remains vital, regardless of age, is intimacy. Too often, intimacy is narrowly defined as sexual activity. In truth, it's a much richer, more meaningful part of life that includes emotional closeness, psychological connection, trust, tenderness, and companionship. For seniors, intimacy can be a source of joy, resilience, and healing — even more so than in earlier years.  

A Broader Definition of Intimacy  

Intimacy is the bond that grows through shared experiences, mutual respect, and emotional vulnerability. It’s found in a long look across the dinner table, a hand held during a walk, or an honest conversation in the quiet of evening. These intimate moments help build a sense of belonging and value, no matter one's stage in life. While physical connection can still play an important role, intimacy is not limited to sex. In fact, for many older adults, intimacy is more about feeling seen, understood, and valued than it is about performance or passion. Relationships that emphasize emotional and relational intimacy often deepen with age, offering comfort and strength through life’s transitions.  

Character as the Core of Connection  

At the heart of meaningful intimacy — whether emotional, relational, or physical — lies character. Traits like honesty, kindness, empathy, patience, and integrity form the foundation of any healthy relationship. These qualities become even more important as we grow older, when superficial markers of youth fade and the depth of connection truly begins to shine. Healthy sexuality, for instance, is not just about physical capability. It’s about mutual respect, communication, safety, and the ability to express affection in a way that honors both people. Character is what allows intimacy to thrive, even when bodies change or limitations appear.  

Common Concerns — and When to Ask for Help  

It’s natural to experience changes in your body or emotions as you age. These may include shifts in desire, changes in comfort levels, or physical challenges. While some of these are a normal part of aging, others may benefit from a medical perspective. Issues like vaginal dryness, erectile difficulties, or discomfort during physical closeness can often be addressed with the help of your physician or gynecologist. You don’t have to navigate these changes alone — and asking for help is an act of courage and self-care. Emotional barriers to intimacy are also common. Grief, anxiety, loneliness, or past trauma can impact one’s ability to connect. In these cases, talking to a trusted counselor or therapist can provide valuable support and healing.  

Intimacy Is Always Possible  

No matter your age, relationship status, or physical ability, intimacy remains a meaningful part of life. Whether it’s with a long-time partner, a new friend, or even through self-connection and reflection, the human need for closeness and understanding does not fade with time. In fact, many seniors find that their later years offer a deeper, more authentic kind of intimacy than ever before.  

Final Thoughts  

Aging is not the end of intimacy — it’s an invitation to experience it in fuller, deeper ways. By embracing emotional and relational closeness, nurturing character, and addressing concerns with openness, seniors can continue to build connections that enrich their lives. Intimacy is about being known, accepted, and loved — and that’s something we all deserve, every step of the way. 

Volunteer Tales & Tidbits, Kristin Ramkey: A Few Fun Facts!

Volunteer Station - In-office support for the Resource Development Director at Hopelink, and in-office support for the RSVP program.   

Favorite Season - Spring, which brings warmer weather (not a cold weather fan!), more sunlight, and beautiful flowers. 

Coffee or Tea - I like both, and drink both in the morning, but my favorite is black coffee. 

Early Bird of night owl - I used to be a night owl, but years of having a cat turned me into a morning person. (There's nothing like the sound of meowing and a paw on your face to wake you up!) 

Favorite movie - Flow, which is an animated film that explores love, connection, impermanence (all emotions that we experience) through beautiful imagery and music, but no words. The story was inspiring. 

Favorite food - Tough to choose, but probably pizza and fresh raw vegetables (carrots, cucumber, radishes, cauliflower, tomatoes, red peppers). One is SOOO bad for you, while the other is SOOO good for you - providing balance, which is always a worthy goal.  

Favorite color - Purple 

Best place traveled to - Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. It's gorgeous - and a lovely escape from the frenetic pace of concrete and asphalt Northern Virginia. 

One fun fact about me - I once did a treacherous four-mile round trip hike through rough terrain to Hanakapiai Falls on the Na Pali Coast in Kauai, Hawaii and then went skinny-dipping in the pool at the bottom of the 300 ft. waterfall. It was awesome and serene! (I was much younger then and there was no one else there except my hiking companion.)  

New Skill - How to operate large earth-moving equipment 

Words to describe volunteers - Dedicated and inspiring 

Most memorable volunteer experience - Helping with the annual Volunteer Fairfax Valentine Challenge from 2007 to 2020. Each year, about 100-150 adults and children made over 1000 valentines to give to foster children who had aged out of the system.   

Favorite thing about volunteering - Feeling useful, knowing that I am contributing in a small way to helping non-profit organizations.