ACTION was a federal agency that directed the domestic volunteer programs of the United States government from 1971 to 1993. ACTION’s programs included those that aided senior citizens, assisted low-income communities, and worked to prevent drug misuse. In 1993, most of these programs were transferred to the Corporation for National and Community Service. Some of them have been changed somewhat and renamed.
ACTION volunteers varied in age from 14 to more than 60 years old. They carried out programs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program was ACTION’s largest program. Volunteers 60 years of age or older used their skills and experience to assist in schools, hospitals, and many other parts of their communities. The Foster Grandparent Program and the Senior Companion Program enlisted low-income people 60 years old or older. Foster grandparents helped care for disadvantaged people, people with disabilities, and developmentally disabled children. Most senior companions helped elderly people who were confined to their homes.
Another ACTION program, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), consisted of men and women who were at least 18 years old and who lived and worked with low-income people. These volunteers worked in such programs as food distribution, housing, employment, literacy, drug prevention and education, and health care. Student Service Learning encouraged students to volunteer in their communities. These volunteers worked in such projects as tutoring and assisting in hospitals. The Volunteer Drug Abuse Prevention program was the federal government’s main program for volunteers to teach young people about drug misuse prevention. ACTION also provided grants for such projects as neighborhood improvement, literacy, and runaway-youth programs.
ACTION originally included the Peace Corps, which coordinates U.S. volunteers who serve outside the country. In 1982, the Peace Corps became an independent agency (see Peace Corps).
