“The theme of this special month-- ‘Age Strong! Live Long!’ --absolutely resonates with us,” says Coming of Age:Bay Area co-director Megan McCarthy.
 

“Coming of Age celebrates the ability of all people age 50+ to continue to grow, transform their communities, and become a force for public good. We want to capture and utilize the tremendous energy and expertise of people in this age group.”

One of the ways the organization does this is to connect people 50+ with nonprofit organizations that need their help, and to develop and promote opportunities that go beyond standard volunteer positions and span a wide array of interests and causes. For example, current listings include:

• Providing free healthcare to the working uninsured. Volunteer opportunities in this new health clinic include both medical and non-medical positions.
 

• People with expertise in business are invited to counsel new entrepreneurs and individuals creating business plans for their budding small businesses.

• Volunteers are invited to participate in training and become guides at The Museum of the African Diaspora—free museum membership included.

• Volunteers can take advantage of free training to become Elder Abuse Educators to share their knowledge and combat the increase in elder abuse in the community.

• Pet lovers can do a great service by walking dogs for people with AIDS and other disabilities. Schedules are flexible, and volunteers are matched with specific clients.

• Mentoring and tutoring opportunities abound to help Bay Area school children develop reading and other skills. There is a wide range of time commitments, and some positions carry stipends.

More opportunities are outlined in detail on the Coming of Age website, and one-on-one personalized matching is available to help Coming of Age members to locate and connect with organizations requesting help.

Coming of Age:Bay Area also is pleased to celebrate older Americans Month by offering a four-session workshop series for individuals 50+ called “Explore Your Future.” This is available FREE in May only. The workshops help people envision and create action plans for their next phase of life. They are scheduled to begin May 3 in San Francisco.
 

Additionally, new workshops especially designed for staff at nonprofit organizations to expand and enhance paid and volunteer opportunities are scheduled in San Francisco and the East Bay. The next sessions are set to begin May 19 in Oakland.
 

Volunteers—old and young--wield a major impact on the economy. Nationally, volunteers provide 8.1 billion hours of service, worth approximately $162 billion to U.S. communities. California has the largest number of volunteers in the country, about 7.1 million, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service. In the current economy, their role is particularly crucial. As boomers retire and explore ways to give back to their communities, those numbers will rise even further.
 

Coming of Age is a growing national initiative that began in Philadelphia in 2002. The San Francisco Bay Area program is the first on the West Coast. Coming of Age programs help people explore possibilities, impact communities, connect with others, and chart pathways to a fulfilling, engaged future.

Coming of Age:Bay Area is sponsored by Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services (NCPHS), with additional funding provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service/RSVP grant, the HandsOn Network, and other community grants, and in partnership with KQED.

Membership in Coming of Age is free to individuals 50+, and carries a range of benefits. For more information, visit the website at www.ComingofAge.org/BayArea, call (888) 308-1767 or (415) 474-7787, or email comingofage@ncphs.org.
 

Contact: Bonnie Lawrence at Coming of Age:Bay Area, (415) 474-7787, ext. 13 or email blawrence@ncphs.org