ORONO – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has announced a $1.3 million federal grant to the University of Maine Center on Aging for a statewide AmeriCorps VISTA project to serve senior citizens. The grant will fund the Senior $ense program, which will recruit, train and place 30 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers in more than 15 community organizations throughout Maine. The AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers will help develop financial, employment and consumer counseling services and resources for seniors living in poverty.

“Seniors are often our most vulnerable citizens. We owe it to them to provide them with the tools they need to be financially independent,” Collins said.

UMaine will begin recruiting volunteers immediately to serve for one to two years to help improve the lives of Maine seniors. Volunteers serve for at least one year and will receive a monthly living allowance. At the end of their service volunteers receive a cash award. Volunteers interested in a national service can apply online at www.AmeriCorps.org.

The three-year program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency, which funds national service programs such as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Foster Grandparents Program, Senior Companions, AmeriCorps VISTA and Learn and Service America. The 30 new VISTA volunteers who will participate in the Senior $ense will join 163 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers who provided a variety of services to Mainers last year. The Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs are part of the USA Freedom Corps. The program will use technology to expand its reach to all people who might benefit from it.

Those interested in participating as volunteers should contact the UMaine Center on Aging at 581-3444, or e-mail vista@mainecenteronaging.org.