Our history
For the past four decades, Travis County has shown the significance of volunteer work among senior citizens through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and now engAGE (formerly the Coming of Age initiative). The RSVP program was established with the goal of engaging older adults in meaningful volunteer opportunities and providing them with the resources and support needed to make a difference in their communities. Over the years, Travis County has expanded the program to meet the changing needs of a growing and dynamic community.
1972
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
In 1972, Travis County established the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a federally-legislated grant program, to engage older adults (the 60+ population) in our community by providing them with volunteer opportunities. RSVP’s original philosophy of “People Helping People” endured and ensured its success.
1997
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
In 1993, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program changed its name to “The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program” to reflect the new reality that not all older volunteers were retired. At this time, the age requirement to join RSVP was lowered from 60 to 55 years
1997
Meeting Community Needs
In 1997, the program evolved to focus on meeting community needs by connecting the experience of volunteers with rewarding opportunities to serve.
2006
RSVP- Your Invitation to Serve
In 2006, the name was changed to simply “RSVP” to eliminate language references to aging that may serve as a barrier to participation, especially among the Baby Boomer population.
2010
Introducing Coming of Age
In 2010, Travis County RSVP significantly broadened its scope of service and re-invented itself as Coming of Age. The change was implemented in response to Baby Boomers’ vision and approach toward living a fulfilling, rewarding, and engaged life beyond full-time employment.
2020
AmeriCorps
In 2020, The Corporation for National and Community Service rebrands it’s program to AmeriCorps. The Senior Corps program is rebranded to AmeriCorps Seniors.
2022
engAGE
Coming of Age rebrands to engAGE Travis County to better reflect the mission of the program. We continue to have two major focuses:
