§ 5000. Statement of purpose

It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide—

(1) opportunities for senior service to meet unmet local, State, and national needs in the areas of education, public safety, emergency and disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery, health and human needs, and the environment;

(2) for the National Senior Service Corps, comprised of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program, and demonstration and other programs, to empower people 55 years of age or older to contribute to their communities through service, enhance the lives of those who serve and those whom they serve, and provide communities with valuable services;

(3) opportunities for people 55 years of age or older, through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, to share their knowledge, experiences, abilities, and skills for the betterment of their communities and themselves;

(4) opportunities for low-income people 55 years of age or older, through the Foster Grandparents Program, to have a positive impact on the lives of children in need; and

(5) opportunities for low-income people 55 years of age or older, through the Senior Companion Program, to provide support services and companionship to other older individuals through volunteer service.

(Pub. L. 93–113, title II, § 200, as added Pub. L. 101–204, title V, § 501, Dec. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 1815; amended Pub. L. 103–82, title III, §§ 341(b)(1), 342(b), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 904; Pub. L. 111–13, title II, § 2142, Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1584.)

Amendments

Amendments

2009—Pub. L. 111–13 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section set forth a statement of purposes regarding the National Senior Volunteer Corps.

1993—Par. (1). Pub. L. 103–82, §§ 341(b)(1), 342(b), substituted “National Senior Volunteer Corps” for “Older American Volunteer Programs” and “Retired and Senior Volunteer Program” for “retired senior volunteer program”.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 103–82, § 342(b), substituted “Retired and Senior Volunteer Program” for “retired senior volunteer program”.

Effective Date Of Amendment

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–13 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 6101(a) of Pub. L. 111–13, set out as a note under section 4950 of this title.

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–82 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 392 of Pub. L. 103–82, set out as a note under section 4951 of this title.