Senate Passes Resolution Cosponsored by Collins-King Declaring May 15-19 National Senior Corps Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, and Angus King declaring May 15 through May 19, 2017, National Senior Corps Week in recognition of the valuable contributions of the more than 250,000 senior volunteers across the country.

“In Maine, hundreds of seniors make significant contributions through our state’s nine Senior Corps programs,” said Senator Collins, the Chairman of the Aging Committee.  “One of the many ways these selfless individuals help their communities is through home visits and other volunteer activities, which prevents and reduces social isolation.  I recently chaired a hearing on ways to address isolation and loneliness, which revealed how programs like Senior Corps are essential to building connections that can improve seniors’ mental, physical, and emotional health.  I appreciate Senior Corps volunteers’ efforts to address the unmet needs in our communities.”

“Seniors across Maine selflessly volunteer their time and energy to make our communities and state a better place, which also helps them to remain active and engaged,” Senator King said. “I am grateful for their involvement and hope people throughout Maine will join me in recognizing and applauding their tremendous and valuable contributions.”

In 2016, Senior Corps volunteers dedicated 75 million hours of service at more than 28,000 nonprofit, educational, and faith-based organizations nationwide. Corps volunteers help communities recover from natural and manmade disasters, provide nutrition services, mentor and tutor schoolchildren, support veterans and military families, and provide relief for caregivers.  In turn, volunteering helps keep seniors healthy and engaged in the community. From February 2016 to February 2017, Maine had 1,820 Senior Corps participants.

Senior Corps, which includes the RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companions programs, is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The resolution was introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

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