Arcare

An Estimated 238 RSVP Volunteers Will Serve in Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, ST. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties in Arkansas by March 31, 2021. We Have Already Met This Goal With 238 Volunteers at the Writing of This Application. Arkansas Is Ranked Fifth in the Nation for Food Insecurity According to the Most Recent Usda Research. Since This Is a Documented Need in Our Communities, the Primary Focus Area for the Nea Arcare RSVP Program Is Healthy Futures Because of Its Focus on Increasing Household Food Security for Residents Through Partnerships With Food Banks, Food Pantries, and Other Nonprofit Organizations Helping to Increase Access to Healthy Food. According to Ar Kids Read, 7 in 10 Arkansas Fourth Graders Don?t Read Proficiently. Because School Readiness and Reading Proficiency Starts Early, a Secondary Focus for This Project Is Education With an Emphasis on Literacy in Order to Combat the Current Low Reading Scores and Arm Our Children With the Tools Needed for a Successful Future. the Project Will Also Maintain Other Community Needs as a Focus Area for Our Communities So Nea Arcare RSVP Is Able to Address Specific Needs That May Not Fit Into Primary Focus Areas. Examples of These Projects Are the Arcare Auxiliary, Support for Senior Citizen Workout Programs, and Volunteer Positions Serving Senior Centers Outside of Food Security Services. Volunteer Activities Will Include Partnering With State and Local Programs to Provide Home Delivered Meals and Social Support to Homebound Adults or Disabled Individuals, Provide Support Services, Education, And/or Referrals to Low-income, Unemployed or Underemployed Individuals and Families to Alleviate Long-term Hunger, Work to Increase Literacy With Children in Head Start Programs, and Work in Short- Term or Specific Projects to Meet Other Community Needs. Anticipated Outcomes Include the Number of Individuals Receiving Home-delivered Meals Will Report Increased Social Ties/perceived Social Support Allowing Them to Remain Living Independently, the Number of Individuals Provided Support, Services, Education, And/or Referrals to Alleviate Long-term Hunger Will Report Increased Food Security for Themselves and Those of Their Household, Children Participating in the Program Will Demonstrate Gains in School Readiness Literacy Skills, and Identified Community Needs Will Be Met by Volunteers. the CNCS Federal Investment of $93,795 Will Be Supplemented by $31,675 of Non-federal Resources.