The Nevada Rural Counties Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), is a self-sponsored non-profit 501 (c) (3) Corporation and has a demonstrated record of outstanding service to the elderly and other citizens in need of assistance in Nevada for 51 years and counting.

 

Formed in 1973 to serve five rural counties, it has grown, with strong program and financial management to include 15 of the 17 counties in Nevada: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine. The RSVP volunteer mission is to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for people aged 55 and older with a lifetime of experience, to serve in a variety of volunteer settings throughout their communities.

 

The mission of the RSVP Independent Living programs is to help keep low-income seniors independent and in their own homes as long as possible.

 

Last year, 276 active RSVP volunteers in rural Nevada provided 47,269 hours of volunteer service to Nevada’s elderly population. In 2023, a total of 338,613 miles were driven transporting seniors and adults with disabilities.  An average of 171 hours were served per volunteer in 2023. RSVP has played a vital, social services leadership role in the communities we serve and continue to expand our role of assisting seniors and adults with disabilities in our service areas. In 2023, RSVP is celebrated their 50th Anniversary of providing lifesaving services. 

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RSVP’s Independent Living Programs which help keep seniors in their own homes are:

1.  Transportation provides critical care trips to medical appointments, pick up prescriptions or groceries, and social activities;

2.  Respite Care which provides caregivers a break from the 24/7 care of another;

3.  Home Companions provide in-home and basic needs services;

4.  Personal Emergency Response Systems are units that provide immediate access to emergency services;

5.  Homemakers perform light housekeeping services;

6.  CARE Law provides pro bono legal services for seniors;

7.  Farmer’s Market coupons are distributed to low-income seniors to purchase fresh produce;

8.  Veterans VIP assists veterans with referrals to benefits and services they are entitled and access to suicide prevention awareness and training;

9.  Volunteer Stations provides a variety of services to Federal, State, local government and other non-profit service organizations and health care facilities. RSVP matches the talents of individuals with he needs of our community;

10.  Resistance Exercise Training helps keep seniors active through light weight training; and

11.  Good Neighbor reaches out to isolated, home-bound seniors to ensure their safety and build friendships. Volunteers receive training to recognize elder abuse and neglect and connect seniors with valuable resources. The Good Neighbor Program partners with local law enforcement.

 

All of RSVP’s independent living programs are free with the exception of the monitoring fee from Lifeline.

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In addition, RSVP volunteers serve their communities through a variety of non-profit organizations and government agencies. RSVP volunteer activities include crime prevention, adult literacy tutoring, Medicare and Medicaid counseling, environmental surveys and education, center-based nutrition programs, hospital volunteer service, public museum docent services, library services for the community and the homebound, computer assistance for the elderly and needy, veterans memorial services, USDA commodities food distribution, and many more.

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In addition to the nearly 5,000 independent living program clients served, a very educated estimate of 10 times that number include Nevada citizens who benefit from RSVP volunteers serving in community non-profit organizations, agencies and institutions designated as Volunteer Stations, such as police and sheriff’s departments, hospitals and hospices, schools, libraries, nursing homes, senior centers, public museums, city, county and state agencies, homeless shelters, thrift stores, food banks, animal shelters and many more.

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Persons 55 or older can be RSVP volunteers and need not be retired. They come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. The unselfish sharing of their time and energy, however, makes them all very special.

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Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program, Inc. (RSVP) is an award-winning community based non-profit organization. 

RSVP has a demonstrated record of outstanding service for 45 years which improves the lives of seniors and strengthens communities through direct service and volunteering. 

• RSVP is certified by Points of Light as a Service Enterprise

• RSVP is recognized with Chamber of Commerce Awards for Outstanding Community Agency

• RSVP is recognized with Outstanding Community Service Awards from United Way, March of Dimes and Red Cross 

• RSVP is recognized with the Nevada Governor’s Honor Role of Excellence in Volunteerism

• RSVP is recognized with the 2001 Governor’s “Points of Light Award” for Outstanding Non Profit Agency

• RSVP is recognized with the 2017 Governor’s “Points of Light Award” for Volunteer Program Serving Veterans 

• RSVP Respite Volunteers are recognized with the Linda Carr Caregiver Award presented by the Nevada Caregivers Coalition