Community Services Consortium News

Show your love for Dutch Bros coffee and Linn Benton Food Share!

2012-02-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

On Valentine's Day, Feb 14, all 16 oz drinks can be had for $1.00 and three cans of food at Dutch Bros. locations in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon and Sweet Home

Food collected during this one-day drive benefits Linn Benton Food Share and it's network of 74 agencies.

Healthy Kids Window Display at Footwise

2012-02-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

Jeannie Ramsey, CSC Healthy Kids Coordinator, and Maria Powell, CSC Intern, collaborated on a window display to promote the Healthy Kids program in Corvallis.

The Display, designed by Maria, will be in the Footwise shoe store window on the corner of Monroe and Third streets in Corvallis until the mid-February.

Healthy Kids provides healthcare coverage for Oregon residents up to their 19th birthday. For more information on the program, contact Jeannie at 541-928-6335 ex. 335, or jramsey@communityservices.us

Trevor Thibert, 9 years old has a history of donating to Food Share

2011-12-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

Trevor Thibert last year at age 8 when he donated $404.32 to Food Share from his earnings at the farmer's market and a match from his grandfather.

Trevor Thibert, aged 9, donated to Linn Benton Food Share for the third year in a row. He played his fiddle with his grandfather at the Corvallis Farmer’s Market this summer to raise money for Linn Benton Food Share. Last year he raised around $202 at the market which his grandfather matched for a $404 donation. Three years ago he asked his friends to bring a donation of canned food for Food Share to his birthday party instead of presents.

This year Trevor reached his goal of earning $250 (plus 66 cents) at the Corvallis Saturday Farmer’s market and talked his father’s boss into matching his donation with a check for $250.66. Trevor and his brother, Brayden and their parents brought their donation of $501.32 to Linn Benton Food Share this month.

Linn Benton Food Share salutes you, Trevor. The money will go to buy nutritious food for people in Linn and Benton counties who need the food this winter.

Cheadle Challenge Adventure Run Volunteers

2011-12-11T16:32:00.000-08:00

Throughout late October and early November, CSC YouthBuild AmeriCorps students volunteered over 15 hours to help the Lebanon Community Foundation (LCF) prepare for the first-ever Cheadle Challenge Adventure Run that occurred on November 12, 2011. The event was held at Lebanon Community Park near Cheadle Lake and funds raised will benefit the LCF, as well as the Oregon Military Support Network. Over 300 runners participated in Cheadle Challenge, including eight YouthBuild students who were given complementary registrations by the LCF as a gracious thank you for students’ efforts. Such efforts included trimming blackberry bushes and removing brush to clear several trails along the course of the Adventure Run. In addition, students assisted with creating obstacles and even built an 8-foot tall wall which runners had to climb over during the first mile of the 3.6-mile race!

AmeriCorps*VISTA Team Spends the Day Learning About Homelessness in Benton County and Giving Back

2011-12-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

CSC’s Building BridgesAmeriCorps-*Vista Leader, Katherine Finch, right, gives the fridge a thorough washing, while Melissa Poole, left, VISTA member at ChristWalk Supportive Transitional Housing in Lebanon helps organize the cabinets.

Last month, on November 16th, the ‘Building Bridges’ VISTA team gathered together for an educational, entertaining and service-filled team day.

The group started their day at Community Outreach Inc.(COI), a local agency that provides services and assistance to the homeless and poor individuals in the mid-Valley area. They toured the facility and learned about its services and resources from Volunteer Coordinator, Gerry Perrone.

They moved on to COI’s Supportive Permanent Housing Program, located in Benton Plaza. They assisted Case Manager and Coordinator, Angie Dahlke, clean, organize and decorate the community room for the holiday season. The team was joined by residents of the housing units for a hot apple cider social, accompanied with holiday-themed games and goodies made by the programs women’s group.

After a dinner at Downward Dog restaurant, that was graciously partially donated by the restaurants’ owner, Cloud Davidson, the members headed to the Oregon State Campus to attend the OSU Center for Civic Engagement’s faces of Homelessness Panel Discussion. Representatives from Jackson Street Youth Shelter, COI, OSU’s Human Services Resource Center and community members shared their personal and work-related experiences with the issues of hunger and homelessness. Commissioner Jay Dixon provided attendees with an update to the progress on “Benton County’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.”

The day was considered to be a huge success by all, and the team parted knowing a little more about homelessness and poverty in Benton County. They felt positive about being able to give back through their volunteer project.

CSC Open House

2011-11-16T09:54:00.000-08:00

Martha Lyon, Executive Director and Sharon Barricks from Citizens Bank at Greeter meeting at CSC.

Albany Greater Area Chamber of Commerce held their Greeters meeting at Community Services Consortium at 250 Broadalbin, Albany on the second floor of Two Rivers Market. The Greeters meeting paved the way for CSC’s Open House held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00.

Sharon Barricks from Citizens Bank won a prize for guessing the increase of emergency food box requests July through September over the same period last year. The correct answer was 15%.

Executive director Martha Lyon hosted the event and talked about CSC’s services to low-income families in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties.

The consortium is one of 18 community action networks statewide. It offers programs in energy, housing, education and nutrition. The Albany regional office is on the second floor of Two Rivers Market.

For more information about Community Services Consortium, call 541-928-6335 or email albany@communityservices.us.

Ruby Tuesday’s Community GiveBack Program

2011-11-09T08:24:00.000-08:00

Community Services Consortium's Linn-Benton RSVP is partnering with Ruby Tuesday to raise funds to support our programs, including SHIBA, Senior Peer Counseling and Tax-Aide.

Dates: November 8 & December 13
Where: RubyTuesday, 1895 NW 9th St., Corvallis

To help us and enjoy a great meal, just mention to your server that you are dining to support the RSVP program. We will receive 20% of each “non-specials” purchase for the entire day on the 2nd Tuesday of November and December.

Please join us for Second Tuesday @ RubyTuesday!

A Time for Parents Class presented in Spanish

2011-11-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

A free workshop series taught entirely in Spanish will be presented Fridays starting Nov. 11 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albany.

“A Time for Parents,” a series based on Guiding Good Choices, is a research-based curriculum for parents of pre-teens and teens.

Classes will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16.
Topics include how to strengthen family bonds, setting family policies, teaching children skills to make healthy choices and keeping kids involved in the family.

To register or for more information, call 541-979-2487.

Fifth Annual Newport Project Homeless Connect

2011-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

This year’s Fifth Annual Newport Project Homeless Connect was hosted by the Church of the Nazarene on October 6th, 2011. The successful community events lead organizer was Elise Jordan, CSC's ‘Building Bridges’ AmeriCorps VISTA member, with the Lincoln Commission on Children and Families.

Over 100 volunteers and 45 community agency partners pooled together their valuable time, energy and resources to provide 185 homeless individuals in Lincoln County many needed services. Incoming people seeking assistance were greeted with a friendly face and escorted to the intake table where volunteers helped them map out a plan for their afternoon. Event hosts escorted the service seekers throughout the event and joined them for a warm community meal, which had accompanying tunes from local musicians.

Homeless individuals who attended the Homeless Connect received services from Bike Newport who repaired bicycles and wheelchairs, volunteer dentists with their dental teams that provided over $20,000 worth of extractions and emergency dental care, and the hair cut team which provided 51 haircuts. Other services available included: free flu shots to all, resources and referrals for legal services, assistance in processing birth certificates for obtaining identification, housing and job support, onsite medical and vision screenings, as well as numerous other agencies that provided clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, veterinary services for pets and much more.

HandsOn Linn-Benton Coat Drive

2011-11-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

Make a difference by joining HandsOn Linn-Benton, RSVP and Community Services Consortium in a community coat drive culminating on Veteran’s Day, November 11. The organizations are partnering with local nonprofits to collect and distribute new and gently used winter coats. The coats will benefit homeless and low income persons in the two counties served.

Drop-off locations in Benton County include Community Services Consortium, Good Samaritan Episcopal School, and First Congregational Church. In Linn County, coats may be donated at Community Services Consortium, Albany Senior Center, Albany Public Library, and two Richards Cleaners locations.

Nonprofit partners receiving the coats will include Vina Moses and Old Mill Center in Corvallis. Albany Helping Hands Homeless Shelter, Christ Walk and Sweet Home Emergency Ministries are recipients in Linn County.

Richards Cleaners, located at 623 Lyons Street and 630 Hickory NW in Albany, will donate their services and will dry-clean the Linn County donated coats.

For more information or to see how you can volunteer in your community, visit http://www.handsonlinnbenton.org/.

AAUW to hear about homeless problem

2011-10-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

The American Association of University Women will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Two Rivers Market, 250 Broadalbin St. S.W., Albany.

Terry Knoll, Community Service Consortium’s emergency services director and member of HEART’s Adult Services Team, will be the speaker. She will present information about the scope of the homeless problem in our area and how the Adult Services Team brings agencies and organizations together to work with individuals and families who are homeless.

The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
Following the program the monthly branch meeting will be held.

For more information, contact Theresa Johnson at 541-967-9516.

CSC’s Foreclosure Intervention Counseling Program

2011-10-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

The following stories are just a few examples of the ways Foreclosure Intervention Counseling Program has assisted people in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. Jon Polansky, CSC Foreclosure Counselor says solutions to problems are often buried in confusion, unable to be interpreted by the home owner, and missed by the lender. Foreclosure Intervention is a program of Community Housing Services Department of Community Services Consortium.

A small detail
A 58 year old Linn county man had depleted his 401k and was afraid to contact his mortgage loan servicer of ten years. CSC’s foreclosure counselor, Jon Polansky encouraged him to come into the office and together, they called the loan servicer. The collection department had no solution since he had no income. They called customer service and asked some probing questions and found that he had paid his loan twice a month for ten years and it pushed the paid through date to the summer of the following year.

The right contact
An elderly woman in Lincoln County was three months behind in paying her mortgage; she had no savings but qualified and applied for a reverse equity mortgage which would take over her mortgage payments and allow her to stay in the home she had for 32 years. A credit card judgment in the amount of $3,500 appeared after the loan closing papers were prepared. The law firm representing the credit card company wanted to be paid before the loan closed. The loan would have provided the elderly woman with $5,000 and the money she lacked to pay the judgment. The law firm refused her request to wait until the loan closed. After looking for help, she was referred to CSC’s Foreclosure Intervention Counseling program and contacted Jon Polansky. Polansky found the law firm on the internet, called one of the firm’s partners on her behalf and the issue was resolved in her favor within three business days.

Misinformation
Polansky obtained a loan modification for a young woman who had recovered her income after a divorce. She had been rejected on her solo attempt for a home loan modification after the bank received an erroneous report that the house was vacant.

For more information about the Foreclosure Intervention Counseling Program, call (541) 928-6335 ext. 315 / toll free 1-866-245-1780 or E-mail jpolansky@communityservices.us.

CSC Receives Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 19th consecutive year

2011-10-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

The CSC Finance Department with the the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. (Left to right) Kellie Oxford, Debbie Clearwater, Denice Stout, Cherry Condron and Debbie Jackson, Director of Finance.

Community Services Consortium (CSC) received The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment. This is the 18th consecutive year CSC has received the CAFR.

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been presented to Deborah C. Jackson, Finance Director of CSC and Don Lindly, CSC Governing Board Chair for having had the primary responsibility for preparing the award-winning CAFR.
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.

Community Services Consortium (CSC) is the state-designated Community Action Agency serving Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. CSC provides a wide range of services to low and moderate income individuals and families. CSC helps with employment, job training skills, food, housing, weatherization, housing rehabilitation, education and volunteer opportunities. For more information, or to support CSC and its many programs, please contact CSC’s administrative office at (541) 752-1010 or visit www.communityservices.us.

The Energy Smarts Team spreads at Waverly Elementary School

2011-10-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Waverly Elementary teachers and principal holding copies of the Energy Smarts activity guide.

A program for elementary age kids to learn about different energy resources and smart energy use at school and home did so well last year in one 4th grade classroom at Waverly Elementary School in Albany that it will spread this year to all of the school’s 4th and 5th grades and one 3rd grade class.

Stephanie Bugni, Community Services Consortium’s Energy Education Coordinator, has been working on The Energy Smarts Team program, for the past two years thanks to the generous funding of NW Natural. The Energy Smarts Team piloted in Melissa Straughan’s 4th grade classroom at Waverly last year was so successful, the class got the whole school involved in energy savings. They patrolled their school as part of the program looking for smart energy use, and they left reminders for energy wasters.

With NW Naturals continued support, CSC provided the participating classrooms with copies of the Energy Smarts Team teacher’s guide, activity guides for every students, and enough school supplies to do all the activities in the Energy Smarts Team program!
CSC hopes to see the Energy Smarts Team program spread to new schools and organizations in the future. We would like to give a big thank you to NW Natural for all their support on this project.

If you would like more information on the Energy Smarts Team contact Stephanie Bugni at 541-758-2639 or sbugni@communityservices.us.

The Magic Barrel: A Reading to Fight Hunger

2011-10-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

The 18th annual Magic Barrel: A Reading to Fight Hunger is set for Friday, Oct. 21 at Corvallis High School Theatre.The Magic Barrel begins at 6:30 p.m. with music from the jazz group, Sideways Portal. Readings start at 7:00 p.m.

Nine fine local writers will read samples of their work plus samples of sweet and savory tidbits from Corvallis’s best chefs and bakers. Suggested donation is $7, but no one will be turned away.

Corvallis novelist Rick Borsten says, “The Magic Barrel has become the mid-Valley’s premier literary event.”

This year’s readers are: Keith Scribner, OSU professor and author of the novels Miracle Girl; Alison Clement, author of the novels Pretty Is as Pretty; Tom Birdseye, author of a dozen novels for young readers including Storm Mountain; Jon Lewis, OSU professor and author of eight nonfiction books about cinema including one about “The Godfather”; Debra Gwartney, author of Live Through This; Tim Black, author of the poetry collection Connecticut Shade; Karen Holmberg, OSU professor, author of the poetry collection The Perseids; Ann Staley, author of the poetry collection Primary Sources.

Emcee will be Mike McInally, editor of the Corvallis Gazette-Times.
All the money raised at The Magic Barrel goes to Linn Benton Food Share to help alleviate hunger in our community.

Senior Health Insurance Fair

2011-10-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

The Corvallis Clinic invites you to the Senior Health Insurance Fair.
This is a chance to review all your options, including traditional Medicare, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans. All three of them offer different benefits, some that exceed basic Medicare coverage.

• AlbanyWednesday, Oct. 12
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Corvallis Clinic at Waverly Drive
1705 Waverly Dr.

• CorvallisWednesday, Oct. 26
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Asbury Building Lobby
3680 NW Samaritan Dr.

You may contact any of the insurance providers listed below and have them send you the complete details about their Medicare health insurance programs.
• AARP Medicare Complete Secure Horizons by United Healthcare, 1-800-533-2743
• Regence MedAdvantage, 1-800-228-0978,
• Samaritan Advantage, 541-768-4550 or 1-800-317-7489
• ODS Health Plans, 503-243-3948 or 1-800-852-5195
• Providence Medicare Choice or Extra (location limitations may apply) 1-800-878-4445
• Medicare, 1-800-633-4227

Linn -Benton RSVP, a program of CSC will have a table at the Senior Health Fair.

Trainings, team days and orientations

2011-10-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Trainings, team days and orientations are important events to in-coming Community Service Consortium ‘Building Bridges’ AmeriCorps VISTA Program members in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. The new team started their year in Portland at the four-day Pre-Service Orientation sponsored by the Corporation for National Community Service. The VISTAs received information, insights, and concepts relating to poverty, and participated in break-out sessions on topics such as resource mobilization and volunteer development.

On September 21st, the 9 VISTAs and their community organization site supervisors joined Tifani Erpelding, the Program Coordinator, and Katherine Finch, AmeriCorps VISTA Leader for a program-specific orientation .

A workshop was presented by Heidi Henry, Director of CSC Community Relations and Development and Supervisor of the ‘Building Bridges’ AmeriCorps VISTA Program at CSC. The team learned about individual Meyer’s Briggs Types and how different personality preferences can work together and communicate efficiently.

Policies and procedures were reviewed, a team building exercises was played, and each person decorated a composition journal with images and words relating to their individual inspirations for getting involved in national community service. The journal will be used as a way to track personal thoughts and experiences surrounding the important work to be done this coming year. The day ended with reflection about each team members’ professional and organizational expectation’s for their service year.

This years’ team consists of: Anthony Vendetti, Emergency Planning Coordinator at City of Albany Fire Department; Brittany Russell, HELP Volunteer Coordinator for Lincoln County School District; Elise Jordan, Lincoln County Homeless Planning Coordinator at Lincoln Commission on Children and Families; Hanna Connett, North HELP Volunteer Coordinator for Lincoln County School District; Jeanna Weathers, Volunteer Coordinator at Albany Helping Hands, Inc.; Jessica Stallings, Benton County Homeless Planning Coordinator at the Benton County Commissioners’ Office; Lauren Berentes, Regional Planning Coordinator at the Community Services Consortium; Melissa Poole, Volunteer Coordinator for ChristWalk Supportive Transitional Housing and Michael Spinello, Linn County Homeless Planning Coordinator at the Community Services Consortium.

Pelican Place connected with solar energy

2011-09-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

Solar panels were installed at Pelican Place, the apartment complex in Newport which provides twelve units of permanent supportive housing to families and individuals who were formerly homeless. The 25 kilowatt solar system, installed by Paul Solonika & Sons, will provide energy to run the building's two laundry rooms.

Community Services Consortium's Weatherization Program was one of Eight Oregon weatherization programs selected to receive funding for piloting the installation of solar photovoltaic systems to implement a broader set of sustainable energy efficient alternatives. The utility will purchase any overage.

CSC Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program

2011-09-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

No interest, deferred-payment home repair loan funds are now available* from CSC's Community Housing Services in the following locations:

Benton County: Limited loan funds are available throughout Benton County, except within the city limits of Corvallis. (Residents of Corvallis may contact the City of Corvallis Housing Dept. for similar assistance, (541) 766-6944.)
Linn County: Limited loan funds are available for owner-occupied properties in Albany, Lyons and Mill City.
Lincoln County: Loan funds are now available in Newport for owner-occupied and some types of rental properties.

The loans are available for home repair needs such as roofing, heating and electrical systems, plumbing, foundations, structural work, and other conditions affecting health, safety and livability.

No interest is charged on these loans, and no monthly payments are required; loans for rehab of owner-occupied properties are not due and payable until the property is sold, transferred, vacated or refinanced; rental property owners must contribute 50% of the cost of the project, must agree to rent to low-income tenants for the life of the loan, and must pay off the loan in ten years.

For further information contact Jeni Wells-Whitney at CSC's community Housing Services office in Corvallis at (541) 758-2636 or email at jwwhitney@communityservices.us.
*Income guidelines apply for qualification

CSC sponsors Ten New 'Building Bridges' Members

2011-09-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

The 'Building Bridges' Americorps*VISTA program welcomes ten new members to Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. This is the 6th team sponsored by Community Services Consortium and members are working to address issues of housing and homelessness in the community.

Tifani Erpelding, Program Coordinator for 'Building Bridges' stated, "This is a new approach for our team. In the past we worked on a variety of issues, such as hunger and education, and we made a small impact on many poverty related issues. With our new program approach, we anticipate the compounded efforts of each member working on the single issue of housing and homelessness will create a greater impact on our communities. We are very excited about the program."

Members are serving in non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies across Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties. Projects range from developing volunteer programs to serve homeless children and adults, developing a regional plan to address homelessness, to the 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness in all three counties.

2011 Resource Jam of Linn County

2011-09-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Resource Jam of Linn County was held on September 13, 2011 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center. Sponsored by Community Services Consortium, (CSC) this was the second annual event that brought social service providers from all over the county together to hear about the programs each organization has to offer low income residents of Linn County.

Presentations were made by 11 agencies and organizations, plus four speakers representing different departments of CSC. Their aim was to let providers know what other services were being offered in the county in order to steer their clients to the right resources. Tables were set up for each organization to provide brochures, posters, business cards and other printed materials for attendees to pick up and share with co-workers.

There was plenty of time for questions and networking during the event. A total of 67 people were in attendance, and the event was very well received. Plans are to continue to make this an annual event, and to expand the concept to Benton County in the near future.

If your organization would like to participate in next year’s Resource Jam, contact Dina Eldridge @ CSC: 541-928-6335, x. 324 or deldridge@communityservices.us.

Dinner Down The Bay

2011-09-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

Friday October 14, 2011
A five course dining event benefiting Friends of CSC Head Start of Lincoln County
Dine-Cruise-Ride: Begin at Inscapes Gallery for a meet and greet to kickoff your spectacular, fresh, local dining experience!
Featuring: Appetizers and wine by Local Ocean served at Inscapes Gallery.
Fresh Shrimp Salad served during a Marine Discovery cruise. Clam Chowder, or Soup du Jour served at Bridges Embarcadero Restaurant. Three entree choics to choose from served at Bay 839. Dessert, after dinner drinks and music served at Ch'Boogie. While you enjoy your delicious meal, raffle tickets will be available to win exciting prizes and gift certificates
Friday October 14
5:45 p.m. meet and greet at Inscapes Gallery
$48 in advance / $55 at the door
Tickets available at Inscapes Gallery, Bridges embarcadero Restaurant, or call (541) 270-5611; email friendsofheadstart2009@gmail.com

Comcast offers discounted internet service to families with low incomes

2011-09-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Comcast is launching a new program to offer discounted Internet service and computers to low-income families.

The Internet Essentials program will provide low-cost access to the Internet and affordable computers as well as digital literacy training to families with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program.

Internet service provided through Internet costs $9.95 per month (plus tax) and is available for families that:
Are located where Comcast offers Internet service (currently in 39 states) Have at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days Do not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment

Upon enrollment, new customers have the opportunity to buy a laptop computer for $149.99 (plus tax). It supports wired and Wi-Fi Internet connectivity and includes the Windows 7 Starter operating system and Internet browser software.

Comcast has launched websites in English and Spanish to promote the offering.

Money Matters Class Rescheduled to Albany CSC Office

2011-09-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

On September 14th, 21st and 28th Community Housing Services, a program of Community Services Consortium, will be hosting a Money Matters Class from 1:30 to 4:00 pm, at the CSC Albany Office. The class was previously scheduled for the Corvallis CSC office.

Money Matters is perfect for anyone working on large goals like education, buying a home, or building better credit--and for those who are trying to move past living on an “emergency plan”. We’ll take a look at basic budgeting, spending leaks and how to be strategic about money use--as well as talk about preparing for emergencies so that they don’t throw you off track.

For further information or to enroll, call Beth Larsen at (541) 928-6335 ext. 311 or email at blarsen@communityservices.us).

Celebrating Service

2011-09-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

CSC's RSVP program is celebrating its founding 40 years ago, and will honor its volunteers during Senior Corps Week. These honorees were recognized in the past for their community service.

National Senior Corps Week is September 19-23. For the past four decades, the three Senior Corps programs - Foster Grandparents, RSVP and Senior Companions - have engaged age 55-plus volunteers in service to meet critical community needs. Last year in America, nearly 500,000 Senior Corps volunteers provided 98 million hours of service estimated to be worth more than $2 billion.

The Foster Grandparent Program connects volunteers age 55 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. Working with schools, libraries, Head Start, and Boys and Girls Clubs, volunteers help children reach life-changing goals.

RSVP offers "one stop shopping" for all volunteers 55 and over who want to find challenging, rewarding, and significant service opportunities in their local communities.
The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 55 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living. They serve frail older adults, adults with disabilities, and offer respite for caregivers.

In 2010, 8,982 Oregon Senior Corps volunteers in 29 projects across the state contributed 1.7 million hours of service at an estimated value of over $61 million.

Locally, Community Services Consortium sponsors Linn-Benton RSVP. Signature programs include Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance, Senior Peer Counseling, AARP Tax-Aide and HandsOn Linn-Benton.

RSVP is celebrating its founding 40 years ago, and honoring its volunteers during Senior Corps Week with two separate Recognition Awards Luncheons in Lebanon on September 21, and Corvallis on September 22.