SRA has designed a program to provide seniors with an outlet to stay socially connected both virtually and in person. Our program will provide Central Floridians an opportunity to participate in a number of planned activities that will provide them with social and physical interaction, mental stimulation, and emotional support.

This program has been designed to incorporate AmeriCorps members who will serve our seniors across four central Orlando counties, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole. Members will be trained to facilitate activities that can be conducted both virtually and in person. The program’s activities consist of

1) AmeriCorps Senior Health and Wellness Program where seniors will interact with our trained staff facilitators, seniors, and AmeriCorps members using various training methods to provide different techniques for seniors to stay socially active in their daily lives.

2) Aging & Disability Resource Program is designed to reach out to clients who had indicated a need for assistance in the past; to determine if they are still needing assistance and point them in the right direction to appropriate programs and services. Calls that come into the ADRC vary widely, but they are all from people who need some form of assistance.;

3) Heart to Heart Walkie-Talkie Program is a service provided by SRA that connects older adults who live alone, are homebound or are self-isolating due to COVID 19 with caring and compassionate AmeriCorps members. The participant will receive calls from members to have a friendly conversation about their health, wellbeing, needs and referral to select resources.

Volunteer Florida, recognized as the Florida Commission on Community Service administers federal and state funding to support efforts to expand national service, promote disaster resiliency and advocate for volunteerism in Florida.

In 1994, Volunteer Florida was established to administer national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, throughout the state. Today, the majority of these programs are education- based, but grantees are also actively working to protect public land, end homelessness and help adults with developmental disabilities live independently.

After Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, Volunteer Florida evolved to serve as the state’s lead agency for mobilizing volunteers and coordinating donations before, during and after disasters. The Volunteer Florida Foundation also manages the Florida Disaster Fund, the official fund for aiding Florida’s communities after disasters.

Finally, Volunteer Florida exists to endorse volunteerism as a solution to critical issues in Florida. The agency hosts annual community service projects (i.e. Suits for Session) and manages Florida’s official volunteer opportunities platform, Volunteer Connect.

AmeriCorps is the “domestic Peace Corps” where thousands of Americans, both young and young in spirit, are willing to get things done through service in exchange for help financing their higher education or repaying student loan debts.

AmeriCorps seeks to harness the energy and idealism of Americans who are dedicated to making their communities — and this country — a better place for all of us to live.