St. Mary’s County Receives $144K Federal Grant To Expand Senior Volunteer Services

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has received a $144,972 federal grant award to continue connecting older adults with volunteer opportunities across the community, supporting everything from meal delivery programs to nonprofit services.

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County unanimously approved acceptance of the funding during their May 19 meeting, authorizing Commissioner President James Guy to execute related documents for the second year of a three-year grant cycle.

The award, administered through the federal Corporation for National and Community Service’s AmeriCorps Seniors program, supports the county’s RSVP initiative for residents age 55 and older. The grant period runs from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, as part of a larger funding cycle extending through March 2028.

“The amount of the award, the grant award, is $144,972,” said Lori Jennings-Harris, director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services. “This is the second year, but a three-year grant.”

According to county documents, RSVP has operated locally for more than 32 years and is sponsored through the Department of Aging & Human Services. The program helps older adults engage in volunteer assignments with county agencies and nonprofits while providing critical support services throughout the community.

The federal award requires a county funding match of $14,497, along with an additional $8,376 in county support, bringing the total program budget to $167,845 for fiscal year 2026-27.

County records show the funding will support administrative and program costs associated with volunteer coordination, insurance expenses and operational needs. The grant covers approximately 86% of program costs, with county funding accounting for the remainder.

Addressing Purpose, Isolation And Community Need

RSVP Program Manager Monika Williams said the initiative offers more than volunteer placements — it provides older adults with connection, purpose and opportunities to remain active after retirement.

“The retired and senior volunteer program is all about offering volunteering opportunities to seniors 55 years old and older,” Williams told commissioners.

She described how retirement can sometimes contribute to isolation or loss of routine.

“When people get to retirement age, sometimes they lose a sense of purpose because they’re no longer working every day,” Williams said. “Sometimes you lose that, and then that can lead to cognitive issues and health issues.”

Volunteering, she said, can help combat those challenges while strengthening community organizations.

“So being able to have something for 55-year-olds and older to do … it exercises their mental capacity to be able to go out and do things,” Williams said. “Instead of being home vegging out on TV, eating a bunch of unhealthy snacks, you’re actually being out offering your talent and your skills to agencies within the community.”

Williams thanked county commissioners for their continued support of RSVP, including participation in volunteer appreciation events.

“I just thank you for allowing us to be able to offer this to the community,” she said. “Because they do greatly enjoy it, and they do an awesome job at what they do.”

Volunteers Deliver Thousands Of Meals

Commissioner Scott Ostrow highlighted one of the program’s most visible impacts: supporting home-delivered meals for older adults.

Asked about service numbers, Williams said volunteers played a major role in delivering approximately 54,000 meals during the most recent reporting period.

“In the last report … I believe it was 54,000 for the home-delivered meals program that was delivered,” Williams said. “That program uses, I would say, 90% of volunteers to provide those services.”

Ostrow called RSVP “an incredible service to our community.”

Commissioner Eric Colvin also pointed to the documented effects of loneliness and isolation among seniors, noting that RSVP’s impact extends beyond volunteer hours.

“One of the things I’ve noticed over the years … is you put a lot of research into the impacts of loneliness and isolation in seniors,” Colvin said. “So how this program benefits them for all those other reasons you listed.”

Williams said volunteer participation remains strong.

“The numbers are looking good,” she said. “We have volunteers coming in left and right.”

Even individuals who do not meet RSVP’s age requirement are often referred to other community organizations seeking volunteers, she added.

“I always say, still call me,” Williams said. “I’ll still get you connected.”

Longstanding Program Continues Through Federal Support

Background materials presented to commissioners state RSVP has been active in St. Mary’s County for more than three decades and receives annual continuation awards based on available federal appropriations and program performance.

The AmeriCorps Seniors grant funding approved this month represents the second year of support within the current three-year grant period.

Following discussion, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the grant.

“I move to approve the retired and senior volunteer program grant award as presented and authorize the commissioner president to execute all related documents,” President of Commissioners Randy Guy said before the vote.

The motion passed without opposition.

About RSVP Of St. Mary’s County

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) connects adults age 55 and older with volunteer opportunities throughout St. Mary’s County. Volunteers support community organizations, meal delivery programs, nonprofit agencies and other services designed to improve quality of life for residents. The program operates through the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services and is partially funded through AmeriCorps Seniors.

• Follow the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services on Facebook or visit its website for more information.
• RSVP Volunteer Opportunities — for seniors 55+ years of age
• If you are a community organization looking for volunteers, click here to learn more about the upcoming Volunteer Expo.

Watch the full video of the grant award below at 48:44.

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