AARP Offers Local Volunteer Opportunities

AARP Mississippi works with volunteers throughout the state on issues that are important to members and the 50+ population. On the federal level, those issues include Medicare and Social Security.

Volunteerism has served as an avenue for members to speak with state and federal legislators; write letters to newspaper editors; and become advocates for local, state and national issues.

Through volunteering with AARP Mississippi, members are able to receive the necessary tools to make their communities a better and gain a sense of accomplishment.

“Our members seek opportunity to give back to their communities. They want to make a difference. Volunteering is the perfect way to give back,” said Ivory Craig, Associate State Director for Community Outreach at AARP Mississippi. “The more volunteers that are available, the more we can get done and the greater the impact we will have.”

Local volunteers will have “greater influence on legislators because they live in their districts,” said Craig. “It becomes more personal when a local citizen is advocating for these issues rather than a staff member.”

Below are general ways members can volunteer and get involved with AARP Mississippi:

• Home Fit – Members can become trained to conduct home fit workshops. The workshops focus on ways to make homes more livable as owners get older.
• Community volunteers – Members and community residents can work on issues that are important to their hometowns. In Clarksdale, members are working on creating a safe, livable community. In Tupelo, members are working on community transportation.
• Federal issue advocates – Members can call and write their U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators about issues like Medicare and Social Security.
• Advocacy volunteering – Volunteers can talk to their state representatives and state senators about issues such as home and community-based services.

For more information on how to become an AARP Mississippi volunteer, email aarpms@aarp.org or call 1-866-554-5382.