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Volunteers are Needed to...
•Mentor a youth.
•Advocate for youth through Foster Care Review Boards and as Court Appointed Special Advocates.
•Tutor a child.
•Help Medicare recipients sort through their insurance and medical billing issues.
•Presentations on investment fraud awareness.
•Advocate and educate against identity theft.
•Help with after-school programs.
•Transportation.
•Help individuals prepare their taxes.
•Visit those in care facilities.
•Deliver meals to the home bound.
•Help stock shelves at food bank.
•Help serve meals.
•Assist hospitals with patient and visitor communication and directions.
•Office support.
and more...
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SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) Website
 Volunteers are trained on Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicare benefits and rights; help recipients assess their needs so they can make informed decisions about their health insurance; compare and evaluate Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance policies; organize medical bills, Medicare statements and file claims; and when necessary identify assistance from other agencies, including Medicaid. Although training is required in all areas, volunteers can request RSVP to limit their work to certain areas.
Skills Required: Volunteers must be detail oriented, patient and enjoy helping others on a one to one basis. This volunteer position is flexible, yet challenging and rewarding. SHIIP volunteers meet with clients by appointment only. SHIIP volunteers do not make decisions for the clients; but rather provide information to help the client make their own decisions.
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Tax Program
RSVP sponsors locally the AARP and IRS Tax Assistance Program. Volunteers are trained and updated each year in tax preparation with an emphasis on low - moderate income households and retired population. This volunteer tax service is provided from February thru the last Thursday on or before April 15.
Skills required:
Volunteers must be detail oriented, patient and enjoy helping others on a one to one basis. Four day training provided each year, along with practice sessions prior to working with clients. Service provided during tax season only.
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AARP Money Management Website
RSVP sponsors locally the AARP Money Management Program, volunteers may be a representative payee for their clients overseeing Federal funds such as Social Security, Veterans or Railroad pensions. Volunteers must be approved by the agency from where the funds are received and maintain control of their client‚s checkbook. RSVP monitors all bank statements. Volunteers may also be Bill Payers helping clients to set up budgets, prioritize their expenses, etc. Clients maintain total control of their funds; however, RSVP also monitors these accounts. Volunteers do not need to be a AARP member to volunteer.
Skills Required: Volunteers are trained in the Representative Payee or Bill Payer process. No special accounting skills are required. The volunteer must be able to balance a checkbook with the monthly bank statement. Clients may not have any family or family members close by, therefore it is requested volunteers visit their clients regularly to see that their needs are being met. References are required, as is approval from the agency providing the Federal source of monthly income (ex. Social Security ).
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SAIF (Seniors Against Investment Fraud) Iowa Insurance Division
RSVP coordinates this service under the guidance of the Iowa Insurance Division. Investment Fraud can have severe consequences for the consumer. Those most vulnerable are often the targets of such activities. Volunteers are trained on presenting material that educates individuals in what to look for in regard to potential fraud activities and or investments.
Skills Required: Volunteers will be trained and are encouraged to help arrange for presentations where appropriate audiences will be. Volunteers must be patient and feel at ease speaking before groups. All materials are provided.
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Prime Time (Mentoring & Literacy) Waterloo Community Schools
RSVP is a Partner-At-Large with the Waterloo Schools in helping to recruit volunteers for activities that support literacy and improve school
performance. Volunteers are needed to work one to one or with groups of
students in grades Kindergarten through 6th Grade, helping to improve their
reading skills. The volunteers work with the students at school, during the
school day, on a schedule pre-arranged with the teacher. The teachers refer
specific students for volunteer assistance; provide assignments to use and
instructions for the volunteers. The volunteers can request which school(s)
and grade(s) to work with; as well as which days and what time frame.
Skills required: Volunteers must show a genuine interest in children and
their well being, be patient and effective in learning situations, have good
communication skills, and enjoy reading themselves in order to demonstrate
healthy attitudes to children.
A school-based mentoring initiative, BAM! Be A Mentor!, is underway in the
Waterloo Schools, grades K-12, in collaboration with Big Brother Big Sisters (BBBS), RSVP and Cedar Valley's Promise. A
one to one ongoing relationship with a caring adult provides support and
encouragement to a child.
Skills required: Volunteers must have and demonstrate a genuine interest in
children and their well being, be patient and effective in learning
situations, have good communication skills. Volunteers must commit to one
school year and be consistent in their visits with their mentee. Screening
interviews and background checks will be conducted by Big Brother Big Sister
staff.
Cedar Valley's Promise
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"The value of our Prime Time volunteer program is immeasurable.
The long standing relationship that the Waterloo Schools and
RSVP share has resulted in improved educational outcomes for thousands of
students. Whether it is assistance in a computer lab or media center or
one-to-one help from a Reading Buddy or mentor, our Prime Time Volunteers
have been there on a consistent basis. Waterloo children have benefited
from the knowledge and character of volunteers, 55 and
older."
-Dewitt Jones, Ed.D.,
Superintendent of Waterloo Community Schools
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"Mentoring has really been fun. I was brought in through my church being a Partner In Education. It's been a great outreach to work with our children. You need to get over being scared. Anybody can do it. It only takes an hour a week. All that child is asking is, give me one hour of your time."
-Ken, Volunteer
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"This is my 7th year as a Reading Buddy! I love it! I have been at Edison Elementary for the entire time - with First graders. I go once a week for about 1 1/2 hours & listen to about 8 1st graders read to me. They love the attention & they love the stories! I see improvement each week. The students are delightful and the teachers so easy to work with."
-Mary, Volunteer
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