About SRIVWhile creating a lifelong culture of volunteerism and service, Southern Rhode Island Volunteers will make a difference one volunteer at a time, ultimately creating a countywide corps of volunteers.
Southern Rhode Island Volunteers shall provide a supportive foundation for volunteerism and service by providing (1) volunteers throughout the southern geographic 1/3 of the State of Rhode Island; (2) quality, meaningful, and appropriate service opportunities to the citizens of this area; and (3) helpful health care access, nutrition support, and alleviation of isolation services to frail elderly individuals and other adults in need of independent aging support, to meet the goal of aging-in-place. Areas ServedSRIV's service area covers approximately 331.2 square miles in the southern most area of the state of Rhode Island, one third of the State of Rhode Island. This largely rural area (described as suburban nationally) is comprised of ten towns: Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Jamestown, Richmond and Westerly. Service is now extended to citizens in West Greenwich and East Greenwich and on rare occasions to citizens in Coventry and West Warwick when they are unable to access assistance in their region.
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History
SRIV was incorporated in July 1981. Washington County lacked an organization that could respond to the needs of residents over 60 who were willing to volunteer, since the six federally funded Rhode Island Retired Senior Volunteer Programs were all located in the northern part of the state.
Currently over 600 Southern Rhode Island Volunteers are active in community service and many of these volunteers have multiple volunteer assignments.
Today the SRIV volunteer movement provides over 85,000 service hours annually with a value to our community and taxpayers of at least 1.5 million dollars annually.
From its start-up and ever since, SRIV's modest budget has been supplemented by in-kind support from other sources. ACTION funded a VISTA volunteer. The University of Rhode Island Clearinghouse for Volunteers provided technical assistance and postage from 1981 to 1986. The Kingston Congregational Church continued to provide office space, electricity and heat until 1993. In December 1991, the Town of Westerly offered SRIV free Space in the Westerly Senior Center. Since the fall of 1999, free space has been provided at Beachwood House, the North Kingstown Senior Center and in 2000 SRIV's main senior operation moved into The Center in South Kingstown. In December, 2011, SRIV opened a second office at the Charlestown Community Center thanks to Senator Reed's assistance and support and collaboration with Charlestown's leadership.
SRIV was able to hire its' first Director in 1983 with the help of an operating grant from The Rhode Island Foundation. SRIV then began receiving support from the state legislature in 1984, The Division of Elderly Affairs, and for its RSVP programming. SRIV applies for grants on a regular basis from local and national donors. Since 1999, SRIV has received support from the Corporation for National and Community Service and others.
Currently over 600 Southern Rhode Island Volunteers are active in community service and many of these volunteers have multiple volunteer assignments.
Today the SRIV volunteer movement provides over 85,000 service hours annually with a value to our community and taxpayers of at least 1.5 million dollars annually.
From its start-up and ever since, SRIV's modest budget has been supplemented by in-kind support from other sources. ACTION funded a VISTA volunteer. The University of Rhode Island Clearinghouse for Volunteers provided technical assistance and postage from 1981 to 1986. The Kingston Congregational Church continued to provide office space, electricity and heat until 1993. In December 1991, the Town of Westerly offered SRIV free Space in the Westerly Senior Center. Since the fall of 1999, free space has been provided at Beachwood House, the North Kingstown Senior Center and in 2000 SRIV's main senior operation moved into The Center in South Kingstown. In December, 2011, SRIV opened a second office at the Charlestown Community Center thanks to Senator Reed's assistance and support and collaboration with Charlestown's leadership.
SRIV was able to hire its' first Director in 1983 with the help of an operating grant from The Rhode Island Foundation. SRIV then began receiving support from the state legislature in 1984, The Division of Elderly Affairs, and for its RSVP programming. SRIV applies for grants on a regular basis from local and national donors. Since 1999, SRIV has received support from the Corporation for National and Community Service and others.
