PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Berkshire County has announced the appointment of its new director, Lisa Torrey.

 

Most recently, Torrey served as the administrative assistant and investigator in the city's Office of Veterans Services. In that role, which she held for the last four years, Torrey assisted the director in all phases of the agency's operations and provided veterans services via determining eligibility for benefits, assisted with securing housing and employment, maintained records, and coordinated with other City Hall departments and community partners.

 

Torrey's professional experience also includes roles with Pittsfield Public Schools and KB Toys in their corporate headquarters. In 2019, she earned a bachelor's degree in human services at MCLA during her tenure in the Veterans Office. She also holds an associate degree in business from Bay Path University.

 

Torrey assumes the helm of RSVP as it marks over 50 years of service to the Berkshires. RSVP is presently composed of 246 senior volunteers, serving at over 50 non-profit organizations, including Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Museum, South Community Food Pantry, Barrington Stage Company, as well as City Hall. In 2019, the last full year of service before the pandemic, RSVP volunteers contributed over 33,000 volunteer hours to the community.

 

RSVP is a national organization funded in part by AmeriCorps Seniors. It is sponsored locally by the city of Pittsfield. RSVP provides recruitment, training, and placement of persons 55 years of age and older as volunteers. 

 

There are currently 5,000 host agencies in 50 states, with more than 400,000 volunteers.

 

Individuals 55 and over and who live in Berkshire County are encouraged to learn more about RSVP volunteer opportunities. For more information about RSVP,  call 413-499-9345.