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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Many of us have faced the challenge of not knowing how to be of help to a friend or family member who is seriously ill. Sending flowers, cards, and fruit baskets works for awhile, but what else can you do to keep up a person's spirits? In this Newsweek, "My Turn" article, a husband talks about asking people to write his wife e-mails while she was in the hospital. An immediate and constant stream of messages became the lifeline that kept this woman fighting to stay alive and sure of her place in others' lives. Check out his story...


If you are seeking a new job, you may be fretting over how to do or redo your resume. Resumes have certainly undergone a transformation. Paper documents have become passe and online copies are often screened and discarded by an employer's automated tracking system. These changes call for a new approach. Read this Christian Science Monitor article about creating a nifty new resume, then strut your stuff in today's job market.


While men of all ages should be aware of the causes, screening methods, and risk factors of prostate cancer, those 50+ should be especially vigilant. The prevalence of the disease increases dramatically with age... more than 65% of men diagnosed are over 65! For a variety of reasons, African American men are at a higher risk than any other ethnic group. So, take a moment and read more about this health concern. Early detection is key. Read More.




 
Mark April 30 on your calendar to participate in an exciting BoomerVision! session, 50+ - The Age of Creativity: Finding Your Story, brought to you by Coming of Age at WHYY, co-sponsored by First Person Arts, and underwritten by AARP. Learn how you can weave your life experiences into a personal narrative and discover new things about yourself in the process. Marsha Gildin, program director of the New York-based Elders Share the Arts, leads the workshop. To learn about this tranformative experience, Read More.


JEVS Career Solutions for 55+, a Coming of Age partner, invites you to participate in a seminar that will help you piece together some of the issues facing you in your second half of life. Experts will discuss topics related to social security, your credit, employment discrimination, wills and estate planning. Wednesday, May 21, 9 am - 1 pm at United Way, 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Space for 150 registrants; RSVP by May 16 by calling Judy Cherry at (215) 560-5465 x 268. Read More.




  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:




“KIDS ARE PEOPLE, TOO!” Help make this more than just a statement by filling the Youth Council Coordinator position (two positions are currently open) at To Our Children's Future with Health, a program serving children in North and West Philadelphia. As the Youth Council Coordinator, you will set up youth leadership councils in afterschool programs, help strengthen ‘youth voice,' facilitate leadership development and inspire young people to become agents of change in their communities. Hurry, our youth need YOU! This is a paid one year AmeriCorps* VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) position. Read More.


Are you interested in finding a paid, part-time position that provides income, keeps you in the work world, and also gives you the freedom to pursue other interests? The online resource My PartTime PRO.com connects educated and accomplished professionals with meaningful, legitimate, part-time employment opportunities. There is no cost to access listings... and it's an easy way to see what jobs are available the go after those that suit your fancy.


The Sister Study, the only long-term study of women ages 35 to 74 whose sister(s) had breast cancer, needs more women to provide information. The study's goal is to learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer. Women from the following populations are being sought: African Americans, Latinas, other ethnic minorities, high school education or less, or those between the ages of 65-74. If you can help, click here.


The Philadelphia Chapter of Project Linus needs new handmade quilts 50"x70" in child- friendly colors. The quilts are being donated to Camp Erin, a camp for children ages 6-17 who have lost a parent or other loved one. Along with traditional fun activities, the camp offers grief education and emotional support. Work at your own pace... quilts are needed by August 1, 2008. If you can make a quilt, please contact janetlinus@msn.com. The group is committed to donating 100 quilts for this summer.




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!


9:00 am at locations throughout the city
Mayor Nutter is determined to make Philadelphia one of the cleanest cities in America and has organized an all-city kick-off event called Philly Spring Cleanup to launch this effort. Thousands of people have been recruited to help clean major sections of the city, raise awareness about litter prevention, and instill neighborhood pride and civic responsibility. There's still time to get involved. If you are interested, e-mail Carlton or call (215) 686-5470.


9:00 am at White Dog Cafe, 3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
Meet for coffee and then take off for this two-hour guided tour of some of the 2,700 wall murals that adorn the city of Philadelphia and have made it the "Mural Capital of America." After being "wowed" by these works of art, return to the restaurant for lunch and a presentation by Jane Golden, Director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, who will explain how the murals build community pride and spur neighborhood development. For information and a reservation, call (215) 386-9224.


11:30 am at Penn Women’s Center, 3643 Locust Walk, Philadelphia
Join in a day-long conversation with women of all ages to build a stronger community by opening lines of cross-generational communication. Your energy and experience are needed as the group discusses how to create a better world for all. At 6 p.m., there will be a casual dinner at The White Dog Cafe (3420 Sansom St. Phila, Pa 19104) as an additional networking opportunity. FREE. For more information, e-mail sisterspace.


1:30 pm at GAR Civil War Museum and Library, 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia
Hear Michael Werner speak about Jews involved in the Civil War at the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library. Nestled amid row homes on a small street in Northeast Philadelphia, the museum is considered “one of the hidden treasures of Philadelphia" and is home to a unique and historic collection of Civil War and Grand Army of the Republic artifacts, books, and memorabilia. It is regularly open on Sundays for lectures. FREE.


10:00 am at Penn Hillel, Steinhardt Hall, 215 S. 39th St. Philadelphia, PA
The Israel Cultural Committee at the University of Pennsylvania is hosting an exhibit of photographs of Israeli culture and society ...and you are invited to browse and purchase photos by featured artists, including David Harris, Shimon Lev, and Rafi Kotz. 10% of the proceeds will go to Penn's Hillel (A campus organization that provides opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their identity.) No reservations required. For more information, e-mail the Committee.


6:00 pm at Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA
We're not sure why there's so much Civil War-related activity, but there is. Do you think you have an ancestor that served in the "War Between the States" but don't know where to begin searching? Come to The Historical Society of Montgomery County and let guest speaker Richard Baker from The U.S. Army Military History Institute of Carlisle point you in the right direction... and provide a connection to your family's Rebel and/or Union history.


4:30 pm at Irvine Auditorium, 34th and Spruce St., Philadelphia
Steven Pinker, a Harvard-based experimental psychologist and popular science writer, is appearing at the University of Pennsylvania to explain his theory of how words relate to thoughts... and spark a conversation about what that tells us about ourselves. Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, Dr. Pinker has the rare ability to convey complex ideas with clarity, wit and an easy style. FREE.


6:15 pm at Commonwealth Plaza Stage, Kimmel Center,
The Kimmel Center and the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Composers Forum have teamed up to present some of the most cutting-edge composers in the region. This free concert will feature the music of Francis D'Amico, Ed Nawrocki, Ryan Olivier, Michael McGrath, and Matthew Greenbaum. Take advantage of this opportunity to appreciate the musical contributions of local talent.


6:30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Mayors of America’s cities have been at the forefront in preserving the environment and bringing together the private and public sectors. To highlight these innovations, and to explain how all citizens play a role in addressing environmental challenges, our Mayor Michael Nutter and Mayor John Janssen from tornado-ravaged Greensburg, Kansas, will speak on “Sustainable Cities,” the second event in the Constitution Center's Red, White, Blue and Green series. FREE. Call (215) 409-6700 for reservations.


6:30 pm at Temple University, Tuttleman Learning Center, 13th and Montgomery Sts., Philadelphia
What is the latest thinking on sex education vs. abstinence? Experts at this ACLU-sponsored forum will discuss the lack of a federal program that supports sexuality education and provides accurate, age-appropriate contraception information. Government policies and action steps will be presented. Q & A. Refreshments. FREE. Call (215) 592-1513 x117.


6:30 pm at Academy of Natural Sciences,
Dr. Craig Venter, one of the leading scientists of the 21st century, will deliver a presentation on human genetics as part of the Academy of Natural Science's Town Square speaker series. Venter and his team have been credited with developing expressed sequence tags, a new technique to rapidly discover genes. The lecture is FREE. To reserve a seat or for questions, contact Roland Wall at (215) 299-1108 or by e-mail.


7:00 pm at Wooden Shoe Books, 508 S. 5th St., Philadelphia
Cindy Milstein from the Institute for Anarchist Studies will speak about the strange relationship anarchists have to the upcoming presidential election, in which many on the fringe are appearing to participate. Donations appreciated. Contact number: (215) 419-0999.


9:00 am at Fairmount Park (see map on website)
Within Philadelphia's extensive Fairmount Park stands a group of eighteenth-and early nineteenth-century historic homes, built by prominent families of the city as rural retreats. Step back in history and visit these homes that illustrate the styles, furnishings, and domestic lives of the time and provide you with a unique glimpse into Philadelphia's rich cultural history. $5 fee for each house, $3 for 65+. Call (215) 684-7926 for more information.





For You and Those You Care For


New Web Site Features Updated and More Robust Information to Help Consumers with their Health Care Choices The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has posted new survey information at the Hospital Compare consumer website, www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov offering more insight about the hospitals in their communities.

In addition to adding the new observations from Medicare patients about their hospital stays, CMS is adding information about the number of certain elective hospital procedures provided to those patients and what Medicare pays for those services. Read More.

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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."