Karen Swenson dedicated 30 years of her life to education.
When she retired and moved back to Idaho to help care for her parents, she knew there was something else she wanted to do, she just wasn’t sure what.
She was supporting her family and playing grandma. Then, she saw an advertisement to become an AmeriCorps member.
“I applied and here I am,” Swenson said, with a smile.
Now, she’s utilizing her expertise as a teacher, counselor and administrator to work at Southwest District Health in Caldwell. Plus, she’s using her passion for mental health to educate seniors about the resources available for those who are either struggling themselves or have a family member in need of mental health care.
While working for Southwest District Health, she also works on a team that focuses on the Mental Health First Aid project and the Fit and Fall Proof program.
Swenson said her ability to communicate made her a natural fit for the program.
“It’s the ability to talk to a crowd, the ability to teach, and connect with people,” Swenson said.
At a recent workshop in Nampa, Swenson taught a suicide prevention program to 70 people in two days.
“The AmeriCorps program has made me feel wanted,” Swenson said. “And that my years of expertise counted for something. It’s a real boost to your ego when you’re older.”
Swenson said she’d heard all the prejudicial things about businesses hiring older adults, but quick responses to her application from both AmeriCorps and Southwest District Health welcomed her to service.
“It’s really awesome to give back,” Swensen said. “A lot of people who are retired want to do that but don’t know how.”
Swenson is wrapping up her year of service this spring and wants to continue to advocate for access to mental health resources.
“I’m really interested in the programs that can help people avoid getting to the point of falling of that cliff,” she said.
About the AmeriCorps program
Serve Idaho’s Renee Bade said she’s seen an upswing in AmeriCorps volunteers aged 55 and up.
“Folks are retiring and the life expectancy has increased,” Bade said. “They want to be engaged and want to be involved in the community.”
Bade said many volunteers can put their career skills to use, but without the pressure of being the boss or administrator. They can do what they love.
“They’re wanting to contribute in any way, shape, or form,” she said.
The added bonuses include a living allowance and health insurance, which can fill in the gaps of a member’s budget.
There are a number of AmeriCorps programs available for people who have left the workplace but still want to contribute to their communities.
AmeriCorps VISTA members help nonprofits and public agencies through volunteer recruitment, grant writing and program development.
With direct AmeriCorps services, volunteers can address a wide variety of needs from classroom tutoring to conservation.
There are also three programs under the AmeriCorps Senior umbrella including:
- The Foster Grandparent program – Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring to students to improve their academic, social or emotional development.
- The RSVP program – Connects organizations to volunteers who can serve to meet the greatest need including delivering meals to seniors, tax preparation, teaching resume skills and employment skills classes.
- The Senior Companion program – Connects volunteers to an older adult to help them remain in their home by assisting with everyday activities including grocery shopping, taking them to doctors’ appointments and ensuring bills are paid.
Find a volunteer opportunity near you at http://serve.idaho.gov/
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Serve Idaho is a division of the Idaho Department of Labor. The commission administers Idaho’s AmeriCorps programs. Serve Idaho is funded in part by the federal agency AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.