RSVP Greater Twin Cities- West Metro

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

UCare Fund Grant Sustains Skyway Senior Center

During this time of budget shortages, we are pleased to announce that the UCare Fund has awarded a three year grant to the Skyway Senior Center in downtown Minneapolis. The Center is located in the Target building at 950 Nicollet Mall #290. UCare also awarded the center a second grant from its Community Benefit Program. The partnership between UCare and the City of Minneapolis will enable the center to continuing serving seniors and provide an opportunity for additional programs and services for participants. The UCare Fund is a community-directed initiative; its grants focus on a broad array of community initiatives that improve the health of underserved populations in Minnesota.

For the past 5 years, the City of Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support had partnered with Medica to support the Minneapolis Skyway Senior Center. Medica also provided transitional support for 2010 which helped sustain the future of the Center. Without such funding, places like Skyway Senior Center couldn’t exist.

Approximately 70 visitors drop by the Center daily. Some come for help with medical forms, finding housing or help picking out a drug plan. Others come for the monthly foot-care clinic, watch a movie, socialize at the numerous activities or just sit back and have a cup of coffee.

RSVP partners with The Skyway Senior Center to support and encourage volunteerism of mature adults in the community. Volunteers provide a great service to the program, contributing to the success of the center as well as getting personal satisfaction from giving and doing a great job. Volunteers share their talents as hosts, receptionists, computer assistants and serving on the Advisory Committee.

The future of Skyway Senior Center looks bright with the support of UCare, private donations, and efforts of the Skyway Senior Center Board and Advisory Committee. Come visit the center and learn about the programs and benefits the Center offers-- and perhaps get involved by volunteering as an RSVP member.

For more info, visit their website at: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/dhfs/senior_skyway.asp

Friday, December 10, 2010

1st Inaugural Scott-Carver PCC a Great Success!


On November 23rd, our RSVP program was involved with Scott and Carver counties first ever Project Community Connect. This one stop shop event for individuals and families living on little or experiencing homelessness, is based on the national model of Project Homeless Connect.

140 volunteers participated and 125 guests received services on the day of the event taking place from 9:30-5pm.80 service providers offered resources ranging from medical and dental care to legal advising to housing assessments.

Next year we hope to be a part of this event again and will keep RSVP volunteers posted when the next event takes place! There are opportunities for volunteers, donors and sponsors to participate in many different ways.