Page 5
(Article originally published in the December 2023 edition of “Northport Neighbors.”)
For a small non-profit, The Friends of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Suffolk (RSVP Suffolk) has racked up some pretty impressive numbers: Over 500 senior volunteers. More than 50 non-profit partner organizations across Suffolk County. An eye-popping 55,000 volunteer hours that were served in 2022.
At its helm is Maryflorence Brennan, a Northport resident who joined RSVP Suffolk’s Health Insurance Information Counselling and Assistance (HIICAP) program in 2015, and who took over as Executive Director three years ago at the height of the pandemic. The 501(c)3 organization has been serving Suffolk County since 1972. They are a grantee of AmeriCorps Seniors and funded by the Suffolk County Office for the Aging.
The primary mission of The Friends of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Suffolk is to support seniors who would like to remain active participants in their community by volunteering and sharing their unique skills and talents to help meet critical community needs. RSVP Suffolk places over 500 seniors, 55 and older, in volunteer positions across the county. They work very closely with their volunteers to match them to excellent volunteer opportunities that are right for them. Dedicated to their programs, their trained volunteers lead, teach, counsel, and care for many in need in their communities. RSVP Suffolk’s non-profit partners range from hospitals and nursing homes to beautiful outdoor locations such as the Fire Island Lighthouse and the Long Island Maritime Museum. One such organization is Tender Years, which received the Volunteer of the Year Award at RSVP Suffolk’s Tribute Day in September. The group of senior volunteer knitters create blankets, baby hats, and twiddle muffs, which are ideal for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s.
“We love working with the seniors in Suffolk County who really want to give back their time, expertise, and talents caring for our community.” – Maryflorence Brennan
Health Insurance Information Counselling and Assistance (HIICAP) provides valuable counseling to seniors who are new to Medicare and those who need a better understanding of their benefits, as well as any changes in Medicare that arise, especially around Open Enrollment periods.
The Telephone Reassurance Program provides a daily phone call by senior volunteers to homebound or isolated seniors who would benefit from a safety check and a social chat. The program was an essential and welcome lifeline to seniors during COVID.
The Community Computer Connections Program refurbishes donated laptops and delivers them to veterans and low-income seniors across Suffolk County.
Living Healthy with Better Choices is a series of workshops that empower many of the older adults and their caregivers to take charge of the chronic conditions they may have such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, and balance issues. Classes are conducted at senior centers, hospitals, churches, and libraries.
If volunteering is on your list of 2024 resolutions, or if you are interested in one of RSVP Suffolk’s programs, check out the full list of RSVP Suffolk volunteer opportunities at www.rsvpsuffolk.org. If you have questions, reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Terri Catania at 631-979-9490 x15 or email her at coordinator@RSVPSuffolk.org.
