Early in the 1980s individuals and organizations in the Mahoning Valley came to the painful realization that our community had made few, if any, plans to care for the growing number of seniors residing in this area. It was in 1982, then, that plans for Volunteer Service to Seniors had its origin. The organization was first established as Interfaith Caregivers. Interfaith Caregivers existed to recruit volunteers to work one-on-one with the frail elderly in our community. Congregations pledged to support this effort by recruiting volunteers and financially supporting their efforts. For a number of reasons, this process did not work.

Not wanting the program to lose its momentum, Rev. Speicher became aware of monies available and approached the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for support. It was in 1984 that Volunteer Service to Seniors was born. Volunteer Service to Seniors was one of the original 25 agencies nationally funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Agency received $150,000 in start-up funds to be utilized over a three-year period.

It was in 1987 that the Robert Wood Johnson funds, as expected, were depleted. A conscientious and capable Board of Directors therefore approached Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way for assistance and requested continued funding to assure that services were provided without interruption. United Way agreed to allocate funding to satisfy this otherwise unmet need in the community.

A year later, Volunteer Service to Seniors agreed to accept, from Catholic Service League, the sponsorship of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Together, the two programs occupied space in the former Mahoning Valley Association of Churches (MVAC) Building on Wick Avenue.

It wasn't long before services increased, staff expanded, and the space was no longer adequate. In 1992 the Agency relocated in space in the 5500 Building on Market Street in Boardman. Today, the Agency maintains office space in Suites 105 and 106.

Again, responding to a community need, in July of 1993, Volunteer Services to Seniors agreed to accept sponsorship of yet another program. The Volunteer Center of Mahoning Valley, which had previously operated under Help Hotline came under the umbrella of Volunteer Services Agency. The program was a natural fit. The Agency reincorporated as Volunteer Services Agency, Inc.

Today, Volunteer Services Agency, Inc. continues to sponsor three distinct programs and has become the central resource for non-profit volunteer recruitment, placement, and management in the Mahoning Valley.