Seniors program could lose $80,000 over next two years

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.

The money is needed to run the RSVP's home companion program, and other volunteer programs would have to be cut unless the funding is restored to the state Division of Aging Services budget.

"I hate to do it, but I have no choice except to cut the amount of volunteers at our senior centers," said Janice Ayres, RSVP executive director. "Secondly would be the volunteers at the various sheriff's stations in all counties."

"I just don't want to cut the home companion program. It's the decent thing to do - to keep these people in their home, rather than a nursing home."

"Every extra dollar this administration is getting they are putting into education, which is good, but seniors are not throwaways," Ayres added. "They are the backbone of all the communities. What kind of message are we giving our seniors by doing this?"

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