The United Nations General Assembly, with the backing of 123 countries, has declared 2001 to be the International Year of Volunteers . Volunteering is meaningful for people of all ages, especially seniors. It helps them stay active, and there is a wide-range of volunteer opportunities in every part of Illinois. It matches community service needs to seniors lifelong experience. Opportunities range from tutoring to gardening.
Volunteers are the primary deliverers of home-delivered meals through senior nutrition programs.
Intergenerational Programs , or those that link seniors with youth, allow older people to tutor or mentor children in schools, libraries or other settings. Sharing life experiences while also helping a child read or learn a craft builds bridges across the generations. The Foster Grandparent Program is for people age 60 or older who want to offer emotional support to infants, children and teenagers. Foster grandparents participate in orientation and training workshops throughout their service. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program links volunteers with nursing facility residents to help solve problems, and protect and promote their rights and quality of life.