The Span Center is a state sanctioned Area Agency on Aging, serving Planning District 15, which covers the City of Richmond and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan. With a mission of “Empowering older adults to live with dignity and choice,” The Span Center provides services, information, referrals, and advocacy for older adults, caregivers, and persons with disabilities.

For more than 50 years, they have been a trusted resource in Central Virginia, dedicated to helping individuals and building a more connected community. Formerly known as Senior Connections, The Span Center name reflects their broader vision to better serve people of all ages, abilities and generations. As one of The Span Center’s programs, AmeriCorps Seniors empowers Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers to stay active, independent, and involved in their community.

The FGP is an intergenerational program that engages low- or limited-income Americans 55 and older in providing one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, and social-emotional support to children with special and/or exceptional needs. The modest stipend ($4.00/hour) that the volunteers receive allows them to maintain their independence and often buy the little extras that they normally couldn’t afford. AmeriCorps Seniors FGP volunteers (pictured) currently serve at nine local child development centers, schools, and afterschool programs. There are currently 47 Foster Grandparents in the program, including 4 Foster Grandpas, which is the most Foster Grandparents that The Span Center has had since pre-pandemic.

AmeriCorps Seniors Programs Manager Carol Ayars reflects, “When I started over 3.5 years ago, very few of the volunteers were serving because of the pandemic. We had an active Pen Pal Program instead of in-person volunteering.” However, the program is now flourishing and even includes a partnership with the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and a new partnership that will place up to 21 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers at five YWCA Sprout Schools beginning in April.

The RSVP engages volunteers 55 and older in community priorities that use the skills they have learned and developed through their lifetime. Some volunteers choose to fulfill a need by learning new skills. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers are currently serving at seven host stations within the Planning District, including three hospitals, a food bank, a free clinic, a telephone reassurance program, and Meals on Wheels. There are currently 68 AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers serving with The Span Center.

At The Span Center, there are countless ways to connect, give back, and create real change. To learn more and get involved, visit https://spancenter.org.