MONTICELLO  — Director of the Sullivan County Office for the Aging (SCOFA) Lise-Anne Deoul unveiled a new volunteer program, called Sullivan Volunteers, for the Sullivan County Legislature during their meeting on Thursday, June 19. 

Deoul said the purpose of Sullivan Volunteers is to establish a homegrown volunteer initiative to address the expiration of the Americorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) funding that occurred on May 7 of this year. This funding expiration directly followed the Department of Government Efficiency ‘s (DOGE) dismantling of Americorps in April that placed approximately 75 percent of the organization’s employees on administrative leave. 

Despite the loss of monies that had previously provided an annual grant of $61,000 to fund volunteer initiatives, Deoul said the current situation provides a positive opportunity to pivot away from federal mandates and establish a volunteer program that is specifically designed to address the most pressing needs of Sullivan County residents: “Previously with Americorps we were limited to accepting volunteers 55 years of age and older.” 

Now, Deoul says, because the program will be funded by Sullivan County, her office can focus on establishing a local network of volunteers of all ages that will address the critical needs of local seniors. 

“Our overwhelming priority in Sullivan County is medical transportation,” Deoul said. She included home-delivered meal assistance as an important service that volunteers will continue to provide to seniors. Volunteers will also teach digital literacy to older adults so they can take advantage of telehealth services and online benefits. Through harnessing an intergenerational connection between seniors and volunteers of all ages, Deoul said this program will promote healthy aging and build community. 

To help expand the volunteer base to include younger participants, Volunteer Coordinator Monika Rosa, who joined SCOFA in November, will recruit from the Sullivan County Child Care Council, the court system, Sullivan 180, and the local school districts. Deoul praised the new addition to her team: “Monika is really smart, she has a really strong background in [Human Resources]; she’s a perfect fit.”

Deoul said SCOFA will continue to use long-established connections with local nonprofits to place new volunteers as they expand the program: Bethel Woods, Noah’s Arc Thrift Shop [one of many church-run thrift shops SCOFA partners with], The Historical Society, and the Federation for the Homeless in Monticello. 

Deoul said funding is in place to run Sullivan Volunteers through March of 2026, at which time she will ask the Legislature for more funds to keep Sullivan Volunteers alive and thriving. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can contact SCOFA at 845-807-0241.