ABLE VOLUNTEERS
Background Information
PROGRAM GOAL
ABLE VOLUNTEERS provides structured volunteer experiences for individuals over the age of 55 who want to volunteer in non-paid professional community service positions at non-profit organizations, using their skills, knowledge and interests for the betterment of their community and society. As a result of participating in this program, participants will enhance their personal and professional lifestyle and contribute to their community.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ABLE VOLUNTEERS places volunteers in non-paid professional community service positions in the Greater Boston area. The program, made possible by a grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, is designed to provide meaningful volunteer placements that will enhance the personal and professional lifestyle of the participants and provide valuable volunteer services to non-profit agencies.
To qualify for ABLE VOLUNTEERS participants must meet certain requirements:
• Be 55 years of age or older
• Be able to work without pay
• Be willing to commit to a community service position for a specific
period of time and attend scheduled training programs
• Be fully capable of performing the job requirements without
restriction
The goal of this program is to provide participants with an opportunity to:
• Provide a local non-profit organization with a needed professional
service
• Enhance their personal and professional lifestyle with a structured
volunteer experience that matches their skills and experience
• Be involved with their community, giving back to the community and
making a difference
• Develop new skills, experiences, and relationships with colleagues
and friends
• Do something they enjoy, are passionate about, and have fun!
The goal of this program is to provide non-profit agencies with an opportunity to:
• Increase the quality of their services/programs with the infusion of
new professional talent, ideas and skill sets
• Increase their staff with volunteers who have real world/workplace
knowledge and experience, have a positive attitude, are motivated
and willing to learn
• Provide cost savings to the organization
• Offer more detailed services and attention to their population
• Add to the diversity of their organization through the inclusion of
older workers whose background, skills and interests match the
mission of the organization
TARGET POPULATION
Individuals age 55+ who can afford to work without pay and are interested in volunteering in professional community service positions, utilizing their skills, knowledge and experience.
COMMUNITIES SERVED
Greater Boston, within Route 128, including parts of Suffolk and Middlesex counties. Communities outside of this area will be served on a case by case basis.
GETTING STARTED – VOLUNTEERS
Individuals interested in participating in ABLE VOLUNTEERS are asked to complete an application, skills and interests inventory, and interview with the Program Manager.
Upon acceptance into the program participants will complete a Placement Agreement, attend an orientation and training session, and interview with non-profit agencies that match their skills and interests. Upon placement in a volunteer assignment, program participants will meet quarterly with the Program Manager and team of volunteers to network and share experiences, volunteering best practices, and identify ways to improve the volunteer experience.
Participants must agree to have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check in order to ensure that participants are appropriate for serving in their positions.
GETTING STARTED –NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Non-profit organizations that are seeking volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Request Form/Job Description and a Memorandum of Understanding/Placement Agreement.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Donna Scarlett, Program Manager, 617-542-4180 x 122, dscarlett@operationable.net.
