Press Releases

Press Releases

September 12, 2012

Dent Announces Senior Corps Grant for Eastern Pennsylvania

ShareCare Faith in Action of Bethlehem one of 38 organizations to receive funding nationwide.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) today announced ShareCare Faith in Action of Bethlehem will receive a $220,500 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). This grant, provided through the 2012 RSVP Relinquished Funds Competition, will support ShareCare Faith in Action’s volunteer programs for local seniors.

“Citizen service is an essential part of the solution to many of the challenges facing our communities, especially in these difficult economic times,” said Rep. Dent. “This grant provides the opportunities for seniors within the Lehigh Valley to utilize a lifetime of skills and experience as a key part of those solutions. I congratulate ShareCare Faith in Action on receiving this award and thank the many Lehigh Valley seniors who work to improve our community as Senior Corps volunteers.”

The grant competition awarded funds to 22 new RSVP programs in the agency’s six focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. In addition, 16 organizations received funding that will allow them to incorporate activities that support veterans and military families into their portfolio.

RSVP is part of Senior Corps which is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Senior Corps counts more than 330,000 volunteers age 55 and over who are serving through three key programs: Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP.

Established in 1971, RSVP is now one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the nation and engages older Americans in volunteer recruitment and management, environmental projects, mentoring and tutoring, and disaster response. RSVP volunteers serve in commitments varying from a few hours to 40 hours per week in a location of their choice.

CNCS estimates that 18.7 million older adults – nearly a quarter of those 55 and over – contributed on average more than three billion hours of service in their communities per year between 2008 and 2010. The yearly economic benefit of this service to the nation equals more than $64 billion.

Senior Corps funding opportunities are currently available through the 2013 RSVP competition. For more information visit: http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp. 

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