Honoring Service, Celebrating Impact: Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Highlights the Power of AmeriCorps Seniors in St. Louis

St. Louis Oasis, in collaboration with LifeWise STL, will host an Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate the remarkable service of AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers. The event will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Louis Oasis in St. Ann.

The luncheon will recognize approximately 80 RSVP volunteers whose dedication and service continue to strengthen communities across the St. Louis region. RSVP volunteers—adults aged 55 and older—leverage their experience, skills, and time to give back through structured, impactful volunteer opportunities. From tutoring and mentoring to supporting local nonprofits and community agencies, they represent the power of national service to address real, local needs.

“We are deeply grateful for each RSVP volunteer,” said Becca Favier, St. Louis Oasis RSVP Program Manager. “They are a vital thread in the fabric of our communities, and this event is our way of saying: we see you, we thank you, and we need you more than ever.”

At St. Louis Oasis, RSVP volunteers play a critical role in the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program, helping young students build foundational literacy skills and confidence. Oasis currently administers its RSVP grant across ten counties in Missouri, including St. Louis City and County, as well as surrounding regions. Collectively, more than 2,000 active tutors contribute over 50,000 hours of service annually in Missouri school districts.

With the future of federal funding for national service programs like AmeriCorps Seniors uncertain, this celebration is more than a thank-you—it is a call to recognize what’s at stake. These programs provide essential academic support in schools and offer meaningful service opportunities for older adults ready to make a difference.

“Through the dedication of our RSVP volunteers, countless students across the St. Louis region are gaining the skills they need—not only to read, but to thrive,” said Favier. “A reduction in funding would not only jeopardize this much-needed academic support but also decrease opportunities for older adults to contribute purposefully to their communities.”

For more information about St. Louis Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring, visit stloasis.org/tutor.