The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (

a) The talents of our older adults will prove to be vital to the prosperity and well-being of California. (

b) California’s older adults possess experience and perspective that can be expanded through strong organizational associations. (

c) California’s older adults represent enormous civic potential, and they are underutilized. (

d) California’s older adults should be provided opportunities for civic involvement. (

e) The AARP reports that two-thirds of its senior corps volunteers reported a decrease in isolation upon volunteering. (

f) Sixty-seven percent of older adults who volunteer report that their social connectedness has increased because of the volunteer work. (

g) Volunteering has been shown to reduce self-reported symptoms of depression in older adults. (

h) Volunteer organizations maintain support for older adults and leverage individual interests and abilities through established community involvement (

i) Volunteering or donating time to nonprofit organizations may be an ideal low-cost strategy to help improve health among older adults. (

j) Volunteer roles that accommodate the variability of individual capabilities are likely to attract older volunteers who commit more and largely benefit from their experience. (

k) California’s older adults should be provided an array of volunteer opportunities to ensure the choice and flexibility of engagement. (

l) Extended periods of productivity in older adults contributes to improved health conditions and emotional well-being. (

m) Volunteer organizations are an investment in human capital and support the advancement of California’s older adults and community at large.