RSVP: Serving Denton County

RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) meets the most compelling community needs by recruiting and placing individuals 55 and over as volunteers in the following focus areas: Education, Public Health, Veterans, Capacity Building and Food Security. Volunteers are placed in measurable outcome-based volunteer assignments with Denton County nonprofit and public agencies that align with their talents, interests, and lifetime of experience. 

RSVP volunteers provided 40,000 hours of service translating to 1.27 million in savings for Denton County in 2023. (Figure determined by using the assigned value ($31.80) for volunteer service).  Health Education is an area in which RSVP places volunteers.  RSVP is also instrumental in capacity building for county-wide agencies which struggle with service delivery due to funding shortfalls. RSVP volunteers are placed at over 105 nonprofit agencies that range from meal delivery through Meals on Wheels, stocking food banks and pantries, as ushers for community theatres and welcome centers, day care centers, crisis intervention agencies, hospitals, and of course, public schools. A great benefit to agencies utilizing RSVP volunteers is the level of commitment and continuity which volunteers provide day in and day out. Numerous unselfish acts of kindness which in turn give older adults a sense of value and purpose in their lives.

The Rockin' Readers program has impacted many children since its inception in 2002 and helped more than 35,000 children learn to enjoy reading. Volunteers have also taken on mentoring and tutoring.  Rockin' Readers can be found volunteering at Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD, Aubrey ISD, Little Elem ISD, Pilot Point ISD and Argyle ISD. Close to 60 volunteers will enter schools for the 24-25 school year with an end goal of 75 volunteers.  Reading to children is proven to increase vocabulary skills, reading readiness skills and improve social engagement. Older adult volunteers are a great resource as they can use their talents and wealth of life experiences to connect with students.  Rockin' Readers read or mentor children in grades Pre-K thru 3rd grade.  They make a commitment of  reading/mentoring a minimum of 30 minutes 1x weekly.

RSVP has 56 volunteers serving in the FOOD SECURITY arena.  These volunteers accrued 12,547 hours of service in 2023 providing a savings of $358,091 to Denton County.  These senior volunteers continued serving food to those in need via Meals on Wheels, Soup Kitchens, meal delivery and Food Distribution centers.  

During the Pandemic, RSVP volunteers took initiative and answered the call to service by making masks.   Over 15,000 masks were handmade for Denton ISD and Lewisville ISD students.  Also receiving handmade masks were police departments, churches, many nonprofits and nursing homes.

Our Needs

RSVP is raising funds to support the recruitment, training and placement of volunteers across Denton County.  The Rockin' Reader Coordinator and the Volunteer Services Coordinator effectively manage the volunteers as they serve in their designated placements.  RSVP provides personal support as volunteers seek out their assignment.  Interviewing and personal introductions occur with the placements. Volunteers are also given training manuals, book bags, recognition mementoes and treated to recognition events.  Some volunteers are reimbursed mileage as they travel to their site.