History of RSVP of South Bay

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a national program started in 1971 as a way to provide solutions for some of the more serious problems facing our communities across the nation. It has evolved today into the largest senior volunteer program in the United States. As early as 1961 the White House Conference on Aging identified the need for older Americans to stay active through service to their country.

One of the earliest programs was the Community Service Society of New York, launched as a pilot project in 1965 on Staten Island. The project involved a small group of volunteers who were dedicated to serving their communities in a variety of ways. The success of their efforts led to an amendment to the Older Americans Act, creating RSVP as a nationwide program and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 14, 1965.

In 1974 Jean Dickinson and Barbara Colbert joined with Joe D’Alesio and Pat Dreisler to begin the formation of an RSVP (Retired and Senior Program) in the South Bay. This program was to match senior volunteers with nonprofit agencies that were in need of help but did not have the funds to hire staff.

One of the first steps taken was to define the geographical area which could be managed by one RSVP agency. Redondo, Manhattan and Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills Estates were selected as the beginning cities. This list has been expanded to include serving El Segundo.

The basement of the Methodist Church in Redondo Beach served as the first RSVP office. The original sponsor was Altrusa, a service organization. It became apparent that they would have to seek nonprofit status and obtain a 501(c) (3) exemption. This was accomplished in December 1975. On February 11, 1976 RSVP was legally incorporated by the State of California.

In 1975 there were 48 RSVP volunteers who contributed 3500 hours. Currently in 2007 we have 917 volunteers that serve through 115 worksites such as Traveler’s Aid at LAX, the Western Museum of Flight, the Botanic Gardens, Meals-on Wheels, Hospice, the Highway Patrol, and the James Armstrong Theater.

RSVP also manages the elementary school reading support program America Reads, several local emergency preparedness programs including the Community Volunteer Alert Network (CVAN) and Herman the Crab program for elementary school children. RSVP volunteers provide close to 100,000 hours annually.

In the 21st century, our challenge is to meet the ever expanding community needs and attracting and retaining future volunteers. Our theme will be “Transitioning to Community Service”.