What we Do/Who we Are
What is SHO Volunteers? SHO, founded in 1980 as Seniors Helping Others, is the volunteer resource for southern Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization of volunteers throughout Washington County and Jamestown. This group of community citizens strives to make a difference in our own backyard, one volunteer at a time.
SHO Volunteers staff match citizen volunteers skills with individual and agency needs, giving special attention to finding appropriate placements for mature volunteers.
Our organization is home to The Washington County RSVP, part of the nationwide network of Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP), South County Volunteers, South County Citizen Corps (disaster preparedness volunteers), South Kingstown Citizen Volunteers Group–a partnership with the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce and Independent Aging Support Volunteers who serve the elders of our county.
SHO’s programs: Seniors Helping Others, Independent Aging Transportation Assistance, Meals on Wheels Home Delivery, Visitation to the Homebound, Mobile Library Delivery Services, Community Volunteers and Disaster Preparedness
In 2008, 714 SHO volunteers worked more than 120,000 hours in a variety of service opportunities including but not limited to delivering meals to or visiting elderly and isolated people, performing office chores for nonprofit organizations, guiding tourists in museums and handling many other jobs on behalf of residents of South County and Jamestown.
The federal government puts a value of nearly $2.1 million on the work done by these dedicated volunteers.
In 2008 Seniors Helping Others made a unanimous decision that volunteers of all ages would be afforded an opportunity to service others. SHO believes that intergenerational activities strengthen our communities.
What is SHO’s mission or purpose? To encourage and support the spirit of volunteerism, especially among adult volunteers, and to provide programs designed to meet the needs of people of all ages in Washington County and Jamestown.
SHO senior volunteers stay physically and mentally active, enabling them to remain in the mainstream of community life. Our volunteers add value to the lives of others while adding value to their own lives.
SHO volunteers provide tens of thousands of service hours that support the missions of 100 service sites and are ultimately a savings to all citizens of over 2 million dollars in FREE labor.
SHO volunteers provide fresh ideas, physical labor and compassion to the varied missions they help to meet.
Who volunteers for SHO? People from many walks of life; from citizens 18 years of age and over, with specific community service opportunities for individuals aged 14-17; and from a diverse economic background. There is a service experience waiting for everyone.
Currently, more than 700 volunteers are giving their time and talent in approximately 100 locations throughout our area. These community partners include schools, medical facilities, museums, churches, chambers of commerce, senior centers and many other types of organizations.
The area served by SHO Volunteers includes the whole of Washington County, Jamestown, East and West Greenwich.
Who pays for SHO? First and foremost SHO is grateful for the support of the local community which is critical. Individual donors are SHO’s greatest resource. SHO is also funded by the Corporation for National Service, the Department of Elderly Affairs, some local municipalities, private and public foundations, trusts, and civic organizations. A special thank you to the Town of South Kingstown for their in-kind donation of our office space in The Center! As a United Way Agency, SHO is identified through the United Way #8150 under donor designation.
