For individuals 55 and older with an income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, the Foster Grandparent program is a great way to get involved with youth in the community. Foster Grandparents serve in local organizations like pre-schools, schools, Head Start facilities and other childcare sites. Volunteers help children learn to read, assist with school work and learn life lessons. This program affords an opportunity to assist children in gaining the strong foundation that is critical to achieving future success.

Foster Grandparents are eligible for a tax-free stipend as well. All Foster Grandparent volunteers receive training and instruction prior to beginning their assignments.

Sign up today to make a difference in the life of a child! For more information about this program, call 814-946-1235.

An Ombudsman volunteer acts as an advocate for individuals in long-term care facilities. Ombudsman volunteers are trained to become more than just representatives of individuals in long-term care, they are trained to become sources of information, agents of improvement and confidential advocates for consumer rights.

The RSVP program offers persons age 55 and older the opportunity to share a lifetime of experience volunteering their skills to local non-profit organizations. You decide where you’d like to work, what skills you’d like to utilize, even how much you want to volunteer – in short, you decide where and when to put your skills to use!

The Senior Companion Program provides companionship for older, frail adults, adults with terminal illnesses or adults with disabilities who need assistance with household chores, transportation and who need a friendly person with whom they can socialize.

The Senior Companion Program provides volunteers to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older, with income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs, and to provide a high-quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers by helping others, all while earning a tax-free stipend.

The Senior Companion Program of Blair Senior Services, Inc. provides opportunities for healthy older individuals to render services to adults in Blair County, most of whom are also older, who may be homebound, without social network support, or who may be at risk for being institutionalized.

Many older adults just need the sensitive and compassionate attention of someone with whom they can relate.

The VITA program offers free tax preparation assistance to low-income persons, many of whom are older individuals, who cannot prepare their own returns and who cannot afford the expense of going to a paid preparer.

Certified volunteers receive training for both state and federal returns so that they can complete basic tax returns for those in need of this type of assistance. Trainings are held prior to the start of “tax season,” generally in January. The certification process follows so that the volunteers are ready for “tax season,” usually starting in early February and concluding just prior to the tax filing deadline in April.

Volunteers participate in the scheduling of their service which can be tailored to fit into their personal schedule. For more information about this volunteer opportunity, call 814-946-1235.