Longtime friends Jane Brooks and Joyce Burd decided to combine their skills, Jane as a writer and Joyce as an arts administrator, to bring ballroom dancing to 5th grade classrooms in Philadelphia.
A lot has been written about the boomer experience...we are, after all, 79 milion people strong... and interested in what age 50+ looks like. An interesting addition is "The Nextnik," a six-episode online video written by movie-maker Mike Kravinsky that follows the tribulations, and triumphs, of Larry Zimmerman, a 55-year-old, upper management family man, who was fired and left with no clue about what comes next. His exploration of what really matters and how he makes a transition is the focus of this series. Tune in and let us know what you think.
So here’s a bit of good news to hang on to: Idealist.org, a popular nonprofit jobs site, reports that most nonprofits are “cautiously optimistic” about hiring and believe the worst economic times may be over. Idealist reached out to thousands of organizations in early 2011 to see how they were dealing with the economy and gauge their feelings about the future. Among the findings: 91 percent will either hire for new positions this year (42%) or maintain current staffing levels (49%). Only 9% plan to reduce staff. And, 42 percent are more optimistic about the outlook for their organizations this year than last. For the full report, click here.
Its been a decade since the horror of 9/11. In the aftermath, many people pledged to make a commitment to strengthening our communities and pulling together as a nation. In commemoration of the 10th National Day of Service & Remembrance, you are invited to join Philadelphia organizations, Global Citizen, Greater Philadelphia Cares, and SERVE Philadelphia for their 3rd Annual Civic Engagement Expo. Stop by Independence Mall on Sunday, September 11 from 2 - 5 p.m. to learn about volunteer opportunities with a diverse array of more than 100 nonprofit organizations.
Dick Bolles wrote THE job-finding book,What Color is Your Parachute, forty years ago. His latest edition is now out to provide hope to people seeking work during this difficult time and advice for how to pursue personal passion in making a career change. Bolles emphasizes that knowing yourself...your skills, interests, and what you can bring to a new job, are first steps, followed by a commitment to working hard to find the career that you want. To hear a conversation with the author, click here.
