RSVP Volunteers
Your invitation to Make a Difference
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
“All across America, children from low-income communities are entering kindergarten without the basic early literacy skills for lifelong success. Children enter the school system behind their more affluent peers and are unable to catch up." --Jumpstart; “if a reading difficulty is not identified and addressed remedially until Grade 3 or later, there is a 75% probability that the children will continue to exhibit significant underachievement in reading. -- TeachSafeSchools.org; Dropping out of school is not a singular event but rather the culmination of a long process of disengagement. It is critical that intervention efforts aimed at students with a disproportionate number of risk indicators for dropping out of high school reach students young enough.--Rhodes & Lowe; MontCo is continually challenged with meeting the increased needs of our rapidly growing aging population. There are now an estimated 176,411 persons over age 60 in Montgomery County."-MC Aging & Adult Services
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
America Reads
RSVP's America Reads Program established in 1996, trains volunteers as one-on-one reading tutors for young elementary school students having difficulty learning to read. These are the students whose reading difficulty is not severe enough for professional intervention, but who experience lower self-esteem than their more proficient classmates, which further impeded their learning. During COVID volunteers provided support for teachers and students virtually. Currently we are offering in person as well as virtual literacy support for students.
Family Literacy Volunteer Program
RSVP's Family Literacy Volunteer Program (FLVP), established in 1992 collaborates with Montgomery County Head Start to provide volunteer readers in Head Start classrooms; provides new gift books 6 times a year to each of 450+ Head Start Students along with tips for their parents on reading books aloud to their children and reinforces learning with follow up activities; workshops for the parents of the Head Start students on the importance of reading to their children and how to do so effectively; and a Lucky Readers Club in each of the 30 Head Start classrooms witch encourages children to read through a variety of enjoyable activities.
In January 2016 Family Literacy Volunteer Program expanded into Philadelphia serving an additional 219 students.
Volunteer Executive Consultants
Provides free capacity building assistance to nonprofit agencies in the Philadelphia area so that they can more effectively and efficiently address pressing human needs.
Help on Call
Provides in-home supportive services for seniors so that they increase social interaction/companionship, improve overall well-being and are able to continue to live independently. Services are provided by volunteers.
My Free Tutor
Provides one on one virtual math coaches for students 4th grade and up including College Students attending Cheyney University and Veterans wishing to enter college.
STEM Career Presenters
Exposes school students to a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers. Our career video library is available to educators to view with their students. Some presenters are also available to visit schools in person to share their career journey.
PA Medi - Medicare Counseling
State trained volunteer counselors educate and inform potential recipients or caretakers about Medicare, leading to increased access to benefits and savings.
Digital Equity Project
Provides technology training to vulnerable community members to help them learn to use email, the internet, Zoom, social media as well as access community resources so they can connect with friends and family, communicate with their child's teacher, access resources, participate in Telehealth and ease the feeling of isolation.
Virtual Reading Support
RSVP provides one-on-one virtual reading support for students grades 1-5. Screened and trained volunteer reading coaches meet with students twice a week for 30 minute sessions and read leveled e-books and complete comprehension questions. Uses Zoom screen sharing and Kids A-Z and Science A-Z reading platform.
Where we work
Awards
Best Non-Profit to Work for 2010 2010
Opportunity Knocks
Silver Stevie® Award in the Female Executive of the Year 2017
Stevie® Awards for Women in Business
Silver Stevie® Award: Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2017
Stevie® Awards for Women in Business
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of books distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Family Literacy Volunteer Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors
Related Program
PA Medi - Medicare Counseling
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Includes those individually counseled.
Number of clients who self-report increased skills/knowledge after educational program/intervention
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Family Literacy Volunteer Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Parent workshops are an important part of our Family Literacy Program. # of parents who report increased understanding of the importance of reading to their child's future.
Number of children who have the ability to understand and comprehend communication
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
America Reads
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
89% of students improved their comprehension and/or fluency as reported by classroom teachers & parents
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
RSVP's goals include: improving reading exposure and access to books for disadvantaged preschoolers through RSVP's Family Literacy Program; reading on grade level by grade 3 through RSVP's America Reads Tutoring Program; improved STEM education for disadvantaged students and first generation college bound veterans through RSVP's My Free Tutor Program; helping seniors remain safely in their home through RSVP's Help on Call Program; educating seniors about Medicare choices and entitlements through RSVP's APPRISE Program; and helping to increase the capacity of nonprofit agencies in the Delaware Valley through RSVP's Volunteer Executive Program.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Collaborate with Head Start to reach disadvantaged preschoolers to expose students to books and encourage reading through a variety of activities and educating parents on the importance of reading to their child. Collaborate with Elementary schools to place screened and trained volunteer reading coaches with students who are struggling readers. Collaborate with high schools & veterans upward bound programs to offer virtual math tutoring to disadvantaged high school students and first generation college bound veterans. Social service agencies refer low income seniors who are in need of transportation, grocery and friendly visiting. Help improve the capacity of nonprofits through management assistance consulting and educational workshops. All RSVP programs are staffed by screened and trained volunteers and directly impact the lives of 11,000 individuals in our service area.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
RSVP has been working to help meet the critical needs in the community for over 45 years. All of our programs are reviewed and outcomes measured annually to ensure the best use of our resources. Our Volunteer Coordinator staff are experienced in recruiting and screening volunteers; Program Coordinators have appropriate expertise in school counseling, reading specialist, management consulting etc. We have a strong board of directors and management skilled in budgeting and finance.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Program outcomes this past year include: 80% of parents are reading more to their child, averaging 4.3 books per week; 85.7% of Mentored Youth are more engaged in school; 80% of students tutored in math through My Free Tutor have improved their math skills, of these 50% of made significant improvement; 85% of students assisted by America Reads tutors improved their reading fluency and comprehension.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals, measure overall program effectiveness
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
RSVP Volunteers
Board of directorsas of 11/02/2023
Mr Ron Gawel
Lockheed Martin Corporation Director, Operations (Retired)
Term: 2023 - 2025
Ronald Gawel
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Director of Operations, (retired), General Electric Corporation, Resource Mgmt (retired)
Robert Leib
Vice President, Wealth Management Accredited Investment Fiduciary AIF Keystone Wealth Management Group of UBS Financial Services
Ronald Williford
Allstate Financial Services, Financial Advisor
Richard Singer
Allied Domecq QSR, ARAMARK Corporation, Finance Director/Controller (Retired)
Alan Kober
Rohm and Haas Co., Plant Manager and IT Manager, (Retired)
Noah Borenstein
Rohm and Haas Company; U.S. EPA, Region 3, Business Development Manager (Retired)
Linda Gedney
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach, Realtor
John J Heiberger
Cabrini College, VP of Institutional Advancement (Retired)
Michael Carney
The Carney Group, Account Manager
Martha Simelaro
Reed Tech, VP of Quality and Compliance
Alan Frankel
Lighthouse Capital Corporation (retired)
Dena Hartigan
Hartigan & Strafford (Owner,retired)
Raymond Heath
Marywood University, VP Student Life (retired)
John Holody
St. John Holdings, Inc., Controller and CFO
Peter Caputo
Caputo and Associates LLC
Gene Davidov
Cerner Corp./Siemens Health Service/Shared Medical Systems Sr. Strategist/Product Mgr. (Retired)
Michael Dell
Safety Host Co., Executive Vice President
Kearline Jones
Health Partners Plans Vice-President, Head of Government Affairs
Ian Matlack
Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. Senior Vice-President
Dr. Mary Floyd Palmer
The Philadelphia Council of Clergy, Inc. Archbishop and Presiding President
Rachel Sherman-Presser
Two Blind Brothers Chief of Staff
Gita Srinivasan
Johnson and Johnson WWIT Acquisitions and Divestitures Senior Manager
Michael Tang
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP Corporate and Finance Attorney
Stephen Tullman
Tower Health System, President and Chief Executive Officer (retired)
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 07/29/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.