Additional federal funding in 1972 allowed formation of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of the Virginia Peninsula [RSVP-VP] in that year. This was the first such program in Virginia and one of the first in the country. The first volunteer stations were sewing groups at Grafton Baptist Church in York County and in Hilton Baptist Church and the Reformed Lutheran Church in Newport News. At our 20th Anniversary Luncheon, 15 volunteers were honored for having volunteered for the full 20 years.

RSVP-VP started under the local sponsorship of the Voluntary Action Center. The Center later became a program of the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, with RSVP-VP becoming a separate program under the United Way. Federal jurisdiction for the program went from ACTION to the newly created Corporation for National Service (now the Corporation for National and Community Service) in 1993. At that time, the age for participation in RSVP was lowered from 60 to 55.

The United Way ceased its sponsorship on June 30, 1991. On July 1, 2001, the program became sponsored by an independent agency: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of the Virginia Peninsula, Incorporated. We are the only independent RSVP program in Virginia and one of the few in the United States.

The 1990's saw a significant increase in volunteers and volunteer stations, along with companion efforts to support seniors. The most significant was the RSVP-VP promoted development of a local S.A.L.T. (Seniors and law Enforcement Together) Council, also known as the TRIAD. This is part of a national effort to enhance communication between the 8 area law enforcement agencies and senior citizens, which also furthers communication between area law enforcement agencies.  RSVP-VP spearheads a TRIAD Senior Summit each fall that provides workshops to educate seniors on legal and other issues. Other efforts to educate seniors are carried out when grant funds become available. We have just finished a series of educational presentations on Fire and Fall Prevention in the home. We are looking for other funding to promote a greater community consciousness, especially among seniors, of senior safety issues and solutions as part of our commitment to senior citizen advocacy.

The current national focus on volunteerism, especially senior volunteerism, is a testament to the value of our efforts. RSVP-VP's growth to approximately 800 volunteers and 150 different locations for volunteering has outpaced the organization's staff capacity and funding for support activities. Although new stations and volunteers are actively encouraged, our immediate future contains a parallel priority for volunteer support funding.

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