Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways that older people can volunteer their time and skills. The programs listed below are a few that may interest you.

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)

The Foster Grandparent Program provides part-time (20 hours a week) volunteer opportunities for people with low income age 60 and older to serve children with special or exceptional needs in their homes, schools, day care centers, institutions, hospitals, correctional facilities or specialized programs for developmentally disabled children. Volunteers receive a small stipend.

Contact the Foster Grandparent Program at the following locations:

For all counties except York and Cumberland:
Penquis CAP/FGP
262 Harlow Street, PO Box 1162
Bangor, Maine 04402-1162
Phone: 207-973-3684

In York and Cumberland Counties:
Foster Grandparent Program
Harbor Terrace, 284 Danforth Street
Portland, Maine 04102
Phone: 207-773-0202

Long-term Care Ombudsman Program

A Volunteer Ombudsman visits residents in long-term care facilities. “Ombudsman” (pronounced om-budz-man) is a Swedish word that means citizen representative. A Volunteer Ombudsman

Visits residents on a regular basis.
Listens to residents’ concerns and problems while having a friendly visit. o
Reports to the Program Staff for guidance while they try to respond to the needs of the residents.

Maine Medicare Education Partnership (MMEP)

Volunteers are trained to educate Maine's seniors about potential errors, fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare and MaineCare. Volunteers provide one-on-one help with Medicare and MaineCare questions and/or speak to senior groups and organizations. For further information, contact the MMEP Coordinator at your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771.

The Maine Council of Senior Citizens-Alliance for Retired Americans is an organization of retirees and semi-retirees who volunteer their time in a number of ways: members make phone calls to legislators, write letters to our congressional delegation and legislators, offer testimony before the Legislature, march on Washington, and advocate for other seniors.

For more information call 207-622-3151 or 1-800-452-8794 (toll free in Maine).

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

The RSVP program matches volunteers aged 55 or older with community service jobs such as delivering meals, providing companionship to homebound individuals and teaching in literacy programs. RSVP volunteers also serve at the Maine State Museum, in local schools, libraries, nursing homes and hospitals.

Aroostook RSVP
33 Davis Street, PO Box 1288
Presque Isle, Maine 04769
Phone: 207-764-6184

Penquis Coastal
170 Pleasant Street, Suite A
Rockland, Maine 04841
Phone: 207-596-0361

Health Reach RSVP
PO Box 829
Waterville, Maine 04903-0829
Phone: 207-861-3400

RSVP of Eastern Maine
268 Sylvan Road, Suite 2
Bangor, Maine 04401-4221
Phone: 207-941-2803

Southern Maine RSVP
136 Route 1
Scarborough, Maine 04047
Phone: 207-396-6500

Senior Companion Program (SCP)

The Senior Companion Program provides a part-time (20 hours per week) volunteer opportunity for people with low income age 60 and over. These volunteers work with adults with special needs in Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford Penobscot, Somerset, Washington and York Counties. A small stipend is provided to volunteers who are income eligible. For more information, call or write the Cooperative Extension office nearest you.

Senior Medicare Patrol

Volunteers are trained to educate Maine's seniors about potential errors, fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare and MaineCare. Volunteers provide one-on-one help with Medicare and MaineCare questions and/or speak to senior groups and organizations. For further information, contact the SMP Coordinator at your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

This organization of volunteers is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE recruits executives who are retired from business to use their past experience to counsel people who are starting up or running small businesses. Volunteers receive travel expenses.

SCORE offices are listed below:

AUGUSTA SCORE
SBA - Federal Building
40 Western Avenue
Augusta, Maine 04330
Phone: 207-622-8509

BANGOR SCORE
EMTC
354 Hogan Road
Bangor, Maine 04401
Phone: 207-825-3819

AROOSTOOK SCORE
24 Sweden Street, Suite 101
Caribou, Maine 04736
Phone: 207-492-8010

LEWISTON/AUBURN SCORE
CareerCenter
5 Mollison Way
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Phone: 207-782-3708

DOWNEAST MAINE SCORE
248 State Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
Phone: 207-667-5800

OXFORD HILLS SCORE
2 Market Square
South Paris, Maine 04281
Phone: 207-743-0499

PORTLAND SCORE
100 Middle street
Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: 207-772-1147

WESTERN MOUNTAIN SCORE
c/o Oxford Federal Credit Union
255 River Street
PO Box 252
Mexico, ME 04257
Phone: 207-369-9976

Office information