Community and Volunteer Opportunities through RSVP

The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helps to meet critical needs in the community by encouraging and supporting volunteerism for people 55 and older. 

The following are just a few of the opportunities RSVP King County has to offer. To talk to a real person about volunteer roles that are just right for you, call Megan Wildhood at 206.694.6786, or visit the website at solid-ground.org/RSVP for volunteer opportunity listings organized by region. 

• (Find contact information for Pierce and other Washington County RSVP programs at the end of this article).

American Red Cross: Volunteers respond to disasters, speak to community groups and schools, help youth develop leadership skills, support local blood drives, provide care to service members, and much more. Volunteer opportunities are available 365 days a year to provide frontline services in your community. The training and support volunteers receive on a regular basis allows them to be successful in every Red Cross program. ~Countywide

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Catholic Community Services (CCS): Volunteer Services at CCS welcomes volunteers to enable elders living on low incomes and adults with disabilities to remain independent in their own homes. You may help the same person each time or be listed as “on call” depending on your schedule and interests. You’ll receive training, mileage reimbursement, and insurance. Volunteer opportunities include giving rides to medical appointments, doing yardwork, and being a phone buddy, as well as delivering groceries, medications, and/or meals. ~Countywide & online

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Communities in Schools of Greater King County believes in surrounding students with a community of support, as well as tools for success, including basic needs such as food access and stability. We’re currently seeking volunteers to pick up weekend food bags each week in Newcastle, WA and deliver them to schools in both Renton and Tukwila to be distributed to students. ~South King County

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Community Food Education’s Adult & Family Education program at Solid Ground teaches people how to prepare healthy and delicious meals on a limited budget. We need Class Assistants for 3- to 6-week series and one-time classes at rotating locations. Volunteer alongside staff to support fun, lively, and informative classes. Work with participants on educational activities and help them prepare a shared meal. Training is provided. ~Countywide 

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Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care (FHPC): Affirming every life, FHPC invites you to be part of a team of professionals and volunteers who meet the unique needs of hospice patients and their families. Volunteers provide both practical companionship and emotional support by making friendly phone calls to patients, enhancing FHPC’s compassionate care. ~Seattle & online 

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Full Life Care: Our Care Teams Program matches volunteer teams with an unpaid family caregiver in need of respite. Caregivers of seniors 55+ and veterans of any age qualify for Care Teams support. Volunteers help with light yardwork and household tasks, provide companionship for care recipients, run errands, or simply lend social or emotional support. ~South Seattle

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Greenwood Senior Center is an inclusive community that provides social, physical, and educational activities focused on the needs of older adults. We work to fight isolation, build camaraderie, and enrich each other’s lives. Available volunteer opportunities include serving hot meals and assisting with special events and classes. We welcome all abilities and interests! ~North Seattle

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Hopelink needs your help to ensure all members of our community have access to food! olunteer in Bellevue, Carnation, Kirkland, Redmond, or Shoreline. Opportunities take place Mondays through Fridays during regular business hours and include check-in (computer skills required), customer service (must be able to lift up to 15 pounds), and restocking (must be able to lift 35+ pounds). ~North & East King County

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Lifelong: Our volunteers – the heart and soul of the organization – have played a vital role helping provide quality care and services to people for more than 30 years. Lifelong’s food program, Chicken Soup Brigade, eases the lives of people living with or at risk of serious illnesses. Volunteer opportunities include repacking food donations, prepping food, packaging meals, delivering nutritious food, and assembling health care kits. ~Central & South Seattle

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Mount Si Senior Center: Over 1,200 seniors a year rely on Mt. Si Senior Center for fitness classes, social programs, arts and educational workshops, recreational activities, and lunches. Volunteers help ensure seniors can safely age in place. We seek lunch program help, afternoon front desk support, and workshop leaders. ~East King County

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North Helpline Emergency Services & Food Bank keeps food on the table and a roof overhead for our neighbors, helping meet basic needs to affirm human dignity. We’re seeking fitness class instructors as well as nutrition volunteers for our Community Dining program and Health and Wellness Center. Training and certification provided. ~North Seattle

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Port of Seattle SEA Volunteers: If you love being a part of the airport environment, join our volunteer team to help make every passenger’s journey a pleasant one. SEA Volunteers provide vital support at the airport, assisting passengers with navigation and ensuring a seamless travel experience. By guiding them through the terminals and offering knowledgeable assistance, you’ll enhance the efficiency and friendliness of the airport environment. ~South King County

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Reading Partners program and volunteers are proven to help students improve their reading skills. We offer a unique opportunity for volunteers to support and encourage students on their literacy learning journeys. We provide training, onsite support, and an easy-to-use curriculum to set volunteers up for success. ~Central & South Seattle, South King County

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Sound Generations is a nonprofit serving aging adults and their loved ones in King County since 1967. Our staff and over 2,100 volunteers are dedicated to ensuring older adults can live ample and fulfilled lives in a community that respects and affirms the aging journey. Requests include assisting with events, social media ambassadors, phone-a-friend connectors, and digital card making. ~Countywide

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United Way of King County’s Tax Prep: Tax season can be stressful, especially for folks who are new to the U.S. tax code or just entering the workforce, and those with financial or technological barriers to filing. UWKC seeks volunteers to prepare taxes (we train you!) for the next January through April tax season, or to welcome people to our tax sites. Volunteer training starts in October. ~Countywide & online

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Washington DECA serves 13,000 high school students to prepare them to become innovative leaders and entrepreneurs who make a positive social and global impact. We’re currently looking for volunteer judges to evaluate both written and oral business competitions. Students value your feedback as they prepare for the International DECA competition. ~Eastside & online

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Youth Tutoring Program volunteer tutors guide and inspire 6- to 18-year-old youth scholars who live in low-income and public housing. We seek after-school tutors interested in helping guide youth on their educational journeys. We ask a minimum of one hour/week of in-person tutoring at one of our five centers. ~North & South Seattle

For more information about any of these or other volunteer opportunities, call Megan Wildhood at 206-694-6786, or visit the website at solid-ground.org/RSVP for volunteer opportunity listings organized by region.

PIERCE COUNTY RSVP: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - LCSNW 

OTHER WASHINGTON COUNTY RSVP PROGRAMS: Retired Senior Volunteer Program | Serve Washington 

This article is courtesy of Solid Ground’s King County RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) Experience in Action Newsletter.