United Way Muscatine County has launched the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), inviting adults age 55 and older to take part in meaningful volunteer opportunities that address key community needs.
Through RSVP, United Way will connect senior volunteers with projects focused on education, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and housing stability. The goal is to recruit 60 volunteers in the first phase of the program.
Ongoing Opportunities Include:
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Reading Mentors in Local Schools: Volunteers will work one-on-one or in small groups with kindergarten through third-grade students to improve literacy and foster a love of learning. The effort responds to a 19% decline in third-grade reading proficiency since the pandemic.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): Volunteers will help low-income individuals and families prepare and file their taxes for free, increasing access to refunds and reducing reliance on costly tax services.
Special Event Opportunities:
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Debris Removal from Public Parks and Lands: Volunteers will partner with Muscatine County Conservation and local municipalities to clean litter and debris from more than 2,300 acres of public land.
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Minor Home Repairs for Seniors and Disabled Residents: Volunteers will assist with home maintenance projects such as weatherizing, painting, and safety improvements to help vulnerable residents stay safely in their homes.
“Muscatine County is full of caring, capable individuals who want to give back,” said Mason Kopf, program manager for RSVP. “This program is a wonderful opportunity for adults 55 and older to share their time and talents in ways that truly uplift our community. Together, we can make a lasting difference.”
The RSVP program is supported by a federal AmeriCorps grant and aims to generate measurable results over its three-year span — including improved academic performance for 345 students, debris removal from 500 acres of land, and more than $60,000 in tax refunds for local families.
United Way Muscatine County, which serves as the county’s volunteer center, has a long history of connecting residents with service opportunities and building partnerships to strengthen the community.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Mason Kopf at 563-223-8497 or [email protected]. More information is available at volunteermuscatine.org.
