Inspiring Opportunities is an e-mail from Coming of Age for people 50+ who are making a difference in the world, in their communities and in their lives.



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Have We Got an Opportunity for You!
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The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations—a coalition of 53 national nonprofit organizations concerned with the well-being of America's older population—got in touch with the campaigns of all the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates asking them to respond to a set of questions on critical aging issues facing the nation, including a question about civic engagement. As of February 1, only Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had replied. We hope to have the Republicans' responses in an upcoming issue! Click here to read the candidates' views.


Each year, slick-talking scammers call older adults (maybe you, maybe your parents) peddling promises of risk-free investments and gargantuan sweepstakes winnings. Then they take the money and run. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 1.7 million people 65 and older (or 3.4 million people 55 and older) were fraud victims from mid-2002 to mid-2003. Experts say that this problem will balloon as we baby boomers (78 million stong!) age. Already, nearly a third of investor complaints to state regulators come from people 50 and older. Make sure you know what to look for... and how to protect your nest egg.


With news of a recession swirling, this might be a good time to consider how you would deal with a job loss--especially from the comfort of your office. Career counselors agree that networking, both inside and outside your workplace, is the best approach. Two "friends" of Coming of Age, Beth Wilson and Helen Richardson, who helped develop our Boomers Night Out! program, are quoted in this Philadelphia Inquirer article that includes a lot of good suggestions on how to develop and use your network and be proactive about expanding your skills and visibility.


We hope those New Year's resolutions are not a distant memory. Have you kept up with the exercise plan you were excited about or do you need more help? These tips, compiled by the International Council on Aging, will give you a very organized way to get started--and keep going--with a regimen that will fit your lifestyle and your renewed commitment to make some changes in the coming year.




  If you know of a volunteer opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area that you would like featured here, e-mail details to havewegot@comingofage.org. You can find more opportunities at:




AmeriCorps*VISTA members are central to Greater Homewood Community Corporation’s effort to strengthen neighborhoods in north central Baltimore. This is your chance to join an exciting 13-member AmeriCorps*VISTA program in this dynamic community organization for a year of meaningful community service. Opportunities are in community development, program management, resource development, coordinating school-community programs, and improving the lives of Homewood's older residents. Weekly trainings, team building, and interaction with members highlight this year, which promises to provide you high challenge and the possibility of great satisfaction. Read More.


The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, a nationally-known public interest firm focused on civil rights litigation and advocacy, needs help with all of their least glamorous work: shredding, data entry, indexing and copying. If you are interested in helping, please send a letter explaining your background and/or a resume to Jennifer R. Clarke, Executive Director, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, 125 S. 9th Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or e-mail her at jclarke@pilcop.org.


Combine your business acumen with your love of the arts! Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA), a program of Coming of Age partner, the Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, matches business people with nonprofit cultural organizations. Volunteers receive training as management consultants in all phases of business, including--marketing, public relations, and strategic and business planning. If you're looking for a meaningful way to apply your skills or are transitioning from the for-profit world to the nonprofit one and want first-hand experience, click here to learn more.


Have you ever fantasized about swimming with sharks; feeding and caring for penguins, seals, or hippos; or being the expert who amazes and delights people with your knowledge of animal lore? It's time to "dive in" and experience the magic of the sea as a volunteer at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. You'll need to be available at least one full day every two weeks; a year-long commitment also is requested due to the training required. E-mail Nancy Chesson or call her at (856)-365-0352, ext. 7028 for more info about this amazing array of awesome aquatic opportunities. Read More.




We list events and opportunities here we think will interest people 50+ who want to make a difference. If you know of such events, please send us information. If you attended an event you learned about here, please send us a review.

And don't forget to check out our website Community Calendar too!


8:30 am at White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
Get to know our history! Take this Underground Railroad Tour during Black History Month and witness the battles of conscience waged by men and women who risked their lives as station masters. You'll stop at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, meet “Harriet Tubman” at the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum, explore station "sites," and lunch at Geechee Girl Rice Cafe, White Dog Cafe’s Germantown-based “sister” restaurant. $45 includes delectable food, gratuities, and transportation. Advanced payment required. Call (215) 386-9224.


10:00 am at Camp Hill Village Kimberton Hills, Pughtown Road, Kimberton, PA
Get to know the residents of magical Camphill Village Kimberton Hills, a sustainable farming community for the developmentally disabled in Chester County. Members of the village live a fulfilling life by weaving, farming, baking bread and cookies for sale, completing household work, and celebrating their community. Those coming to visit will spend quality time and enjoy a healthy lunch with the residents. Contact: Andrea Johnson, (215) 255-6416 or check out the volunteer page on their website.


1:00 pm at Atwater Kent Museum, 15 South 7th Street, Philadelphia
Get to know our cultures! Make time for an afternoon of music, conversation, and refreshments that will capture the origins of Philadelphia’s Caribbean connections in the 1790s. Two local history professors discuss the little recognized, but strong economic and cultural ties, between Philadelphia and the Caribbean. The afternoon features Caribbean style pastries from local bakeries and a performance by AMLA (Latin American Musicians’ Association). Free with admission.


6:30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Learn about our past so you can make a difference today! To mark the 200th anniversary of the Congressional prohibition against importing slaves to America, the National Constitution Center invites you to learn about this historic legislation and the political and cultural climate surrounding the issue of slavery in the early decades of the republic. Three American history scholars will place slavery into its legal and historical context, and reflect on its contemporary relevance. This is the first in a series, The Legacy of 1808, a year-long dialogue with local and national experts about slavery's influence on our society. FREE. Reservations required. Call (215) 409-6700.


12:00 pm at Projects Gallery, 629 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia
Get to know our artists! Inspired by the centennial exhibition of the world-renowned Frida Kahlo at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (February 20-May 18), four contemporary Latina artists join together to celebrate and express their common connections and the accomplishments of Latina women. The four featured painters present works that reflect on the intertwining relationships among Latin American female artists from different countries and backgrounds. FREE.


4:15 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, Queen Memorial Library, 1201 South 23rd St., Philadelphia
Dance, learn, enjoy! An exciting opportunity awaits you... the Kulu Mele African American Dance Ensemble, the oldest African dance company in the Philadelphia area, will teach the basic movements associated with West African dance. Kulu Mele dancers serve their community by presenting and preserving the culture, dance, and music of the African Diaspora. Not only will you learn about the culture but you also no doubt will get caught up in the rhythms and add some dance steps (exercise!) to your repetoire. FREE


6:30 pm at Whole Foods Market, 929 South Street, Philadelphia
Check out this perfect pre-Valentine's Day activity that introduces the power of flower essences, herbal infusions made from the flowering part of the plant used to create emotional and physical wellness. Whole Foods is offering a class on the historical, clinical and spiritual perspectives of essences that will teach you how to make a flower essence for you or your sweetie. And just think of how much more of a difference you can make when you're calm! Class size is limited; pre-register at the South Street store by e-mailing Brett Mapp. FREE


12:00 pm at Central Library, 19th and Vine Streets, Philadelphia
Best-selling author, Jim Wallis, a Christian leader for social change, will share his latest work, The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America. He is editor-in-chief and chief executive officer of Sojourners magazine and Call to Renewal, a national federation of churches and faith-based organizations committed to overcoming poverty and revitalizing American politics. Wallis offers his vision of a new movement that challenges the hold he feels the Right has had on religion and morality for decades. FREE. No tickets required. For information: (215) 567-4341.


9:00 am at Valley Forge National Historical Park,1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA
This new, temporary, exhibition presents the history and archaeological discovery of the original iron forge, for which this area was named. The exhibit features original timbers and artifacts excavated from the site. Learning more about our country's military history we think is particularly relevant in light of our country's present battles abroad. For information, call (610) 783-1077. FREE


7:00 pm at College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 South 22nd St., Philadelphia
Celebrate Heart Month with the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Enjoy dark chocolate provided by Naked Chocolate Cafe and a red wine tasting in the College's fabulous environs while learning about the heart healthy benefits from the Philadelphia Dietetic Association. $12 gets you into the reception and admission to the Mutter Museum, but if you fill out this form you will receive a coupon for $4 off.





For You and Those You Care For


Start Saving on Your Prescription Drugs Are you having trouble paying for prescription drugs? If you are and you have Medicare, there is extra help available and you may be eligible. And, if you think you won’t qualify for it, think again. One woman with Medicare was struggling to pay for her prescriptions even with a drug plan and her $800 Social Security benefit. She talked to a counselor at her local State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP). Once she heard that the value of her house, as long as she lived in it, would not be used when determining her qualification for the extra help, she applied and qualified. Not suprisingly, she was very grateful for the extra help! Read More.

The next Coming of Age Boomervision! session is February 13 at WHYY @ 5:30: "Creating a New Life Together: A Makeover for the Midlife Couple." Click this image for more info or here to register.



SPONSOR:




VISTA is looking for experienced, energetic individuals who want to make a full-time, year-long commitment to fight poverty. If you’re retiring soon, already there or want to take a year off for a year of service, VISTA may be for you. Living allowances and other benefits are provided. More About VISTA

See this week's featured VISTA opportunity under "Have We Got an Opportunity For You."