Adams Co. RSVP loses Federal funding

1 month ago Mary Griffith

Will change name, not operate in Brown & Pike Counties.

A federally funded program that matches older volunteers with vital community service projects is in transition after its federal funding was denied.

The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program, commonly called RSVP, was turned down for continued funding by the Feds and will stop using the name RSVP on May 7th. Instead, the volunteer program will be called John Wood Community College Volunteer Services. John Wood has administered RSVP locally for many years. The local RSVP manager, Heath Richmond, says the loss of federal funding will force the program to close its Brown and Pike County offices and lay off staff there.  After July 1, all volunteer matches will be made from the Quincy office. Richmond is urging all seniors who are already volunteering under the auspices of RSVP to continue their good work in the community.

Richmond says all the not for profit agencies and community service organizations that rely on volunteers will still need those volunteers after the federal funding goes away. The RSVP program could get funded again, but not until at least March 2026.