History

A Rich Legacy


  • Originated in 1965 out of the Older Americans Act.
  • Started as a pilot project in Staten Island, New York as SERVE - Serve and Enrich Retirement through Volunteer Experience.
  • SERVE's success led to the creation of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program as a national program in 1971.
  • In 1973 the Greater St. Cloud Area RSVP began when the City of St. Cloud wrote and received a grant from ACTION, the National Volunteer Agency.
  • In 1973, RSVP - along with 2 other Older American Volunteer Programs (OAVP), the Foster Grandparent Program and the Senior Companion Program - was transferred to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act.
  • In 1978, the Greater St. Cloud Area RSVP expanded to serve Sherburne County.
  • In 1993, RSVP and the other OAVP programs were renamed as the National Senior Service Corps (NSSC) and became part of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
  • The passage of the Serve America Act in 2009 demonstrates a renewed commitment to service on a national level.
  • In 2020, the Corporation for National and Community Service rebranded to become AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors.
  • In 2021, the Greater St Cloud Area RSVP expanded to serve Wright County.
Click here to get started volunteering with RSVP!