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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Adult internships emerged about 10 years ago as the concept of “golden years” retirement expanded to include paid work, civic engagement and/or pursuing a life passion. Many businesses recognize that older interns can bring experience and sophistication to the workplace. This article in the AARP Bulletin Today provides a few "how-to's" on finding or creating an internship that gives you a chance to try on a job and see if it fits.


Every year almost 700,000 Americans experience a stroke. A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when the blood flow is blocked to the brain. The good news is that fewer strokes these days are fatal, most likely due to an awareness of risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And modern medicine can now help reduce a stroke's crippling effects if therapy is started as soon as symptoms arise. Check out these resources to learn more about symptoms, support groups and treatment centers in the Philadelphia area.


Modern medicine can keep people alive into their 9th and 10th decades, when in years past they would have succumbed to any number of diseases. Now a small but growing number of these people are asking why. What is the point of living so long if you can no longer enjoy your life? Jane Brody in her New York Times column poses this question, gives reasons why our country's physician-assisted suicide policy should be revisited, and makes a personal appeal for a "graceful exit." What do you think?




  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:




Titusville Area United Way, located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, is seeking a VISTA who is a self-motivated, team player committed to community service. The job's responsibilities includes developing and implementing the components of the United Way's Financial Stability Partnership program. This program includes budget and credit counseling and working with clients to improve their employment skills. A confident, people-person, who can work independently, would do well in this setting. Read More.


Use your business savvy to make a real difference! MicroMentor is a web-based nonprofit service that helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses by receiving mentoring and advice from experienced business professionals. Share your business know-how, through e-mail or phone contact about 3 hours a month, and you could impact the lives of entrepreneurs from low-income and marginalized communities. To learn more and enroll, go to www.MicroMentor.org


Taller Puertoriquenos is proud to be celebrating its 33-year presence in North Philadelphia promoting, developing, and preserving Puerto Rican arts and culture... and its journey as an anchor community organization to its future state-of-the-art facility at 5th and Huntington. Volunteers are needed for this special Member Reception, May 21, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Mayor's Reception Room in City Hall. To find out more, call Dora at (215) 426-3311.


The Northeast Animal Rescue is looking for a few good people to help at its adoption center. The cats and kittens from this center are placed in foster homes and receive medical attention with the help of local veterinarians, and when ready, are put up for adoption. Volunteering consists of cage cleaning, socializing feral cats, and teaching the public how to properly care for their animals. If you are interested, contact this group at drdoolittle8893@aol.com




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!


10:00 am at African American Museum of Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Visit the African American Museum of Philadelphia for its annual Health and Wellness Expo. Medical practitioners and representatitives from health-related organizations will be available for treatments, demonstrations and to answer questions. Workshops will focus on good nutrition, stress reduction, women’s health issues, non-surgical and surgical weight loss options, natural health products and alternative healing practices. Aerobic movement and yoga classes will also be held. FREE. A donation of a non-perishable food item is requested.


7:00 pm at Gershman Jewish Community Center, Broad and Pine Sts., Philadelphia
The Gershman JCC is hosting a film and gallery exhibit that poignantly depict the plight of Ugandan children who have survived their country's war. War Dance, an Academy Award-nominated documentary that follows three Ugandan children to a national arts competition, will be followed by a discussion with two Ugandan students and photographer, Stephen Shames, whose exhibit, "Small Survivors: Vulnerable Children of Uganda," is at Gershman's galleries now until August 15, 2008. $10. Contact number: (215) 446-3001.



4:30 pm at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Journalist and essayist Lise Funderberg will read from her new book, "Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home: A Memoir," the candid, powerful, and sometimes comical, story of the author's experience of getting to know her dying father in his last months. She comes to understand his rich and difficult background and the conflicting choices he's made throughout his life during their visits to the South—from which he escaped as a young man. FREE.


7:00 am at Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia
Whether you're interested in renovating an older home, restoring an historic home to its original beauty, or just have an interest in preservation, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia invites you to take part in its on-going series of free homeowner workshops. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the best practices for renovation of older and historic homes—including how to incorporate green design! Seating is limited, so reservations are required. Contact Patrick Hauck at (215) 546-1146, ext.4 or by e-mail.


6:30 pm at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Historian Allen Guelzo, two-time winner of the prestigious Lincoln Prize and author of Lincoln & Douglas:The Debates that Defined America, will discuss the debates that made Lincoln a national figure and defined the slavery issue that would bring our country to civil war. The questions posed in the debates about the very nature of democracy and the role of morality in determining public policy continue to be relevant and hotly contested in our national politics today. FREE. For reservations, call (215) 409-6700.


11:00 am at Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, 680 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA
In celebration of May as Older Adults Month, the Grundy Memorial Library will host a presentation by Edward Lafferty, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration (SSA), directed at Boomers who are starting to file for retirement benefits and disability. The presentation is divided into two parts. The first offers a training session on the retirement planning services available through the SSA; in the second part, participants can file claims online or do online retirement planning with expert guidance. Reserve a seat by calling (215) 788-7891, ext. 5. FREE


11:00 am at Weavers Way Farm, 1011 East Washington Lane, Philadelphia
World traveled and respected naturalist Frank Cook will be leading a plant exploration through Weavers Way Farm at Awbury Arboretum. For 15 years Cook has been traveling the world studying plants and has a wealth of knowledge to share about the mysteries of the plant kingdom and the place of plants in the web of life. Contact this e-mail to register. Don't miss this unique opportunity...



4:00 pm at Wagner Free Institute of Science, 17th and Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia
Philadelphia's history is more than the Founding Fathers. How about the Bunting Batters? Dr. Jerrold Casway will present an illustrated history of Philadelphia baseball from its mid-19th century origins through the construction of Shibe Park (Connie Mack Stadium) in 1909. His focus will be the ballfields of North Philadelphia, especially the Columbia-Montgomery axis, where the earliest professional baseball games were played. FREE. For information, call (215) 763-6529.


5:30 pm at Wilmington Senior Center, 1901 N. Market St, Wilmington, DE
You’re invited to "Food for Thought," a program of the Wilmington Senior Center, that features a light supper and presentation on how to "maintain your brain." It's a chance to take part in a stimulating discussion on memory and mental fitness, enjoy good food, and meet new people. Cost: $5.00. Reservations are required. Call (504) 651-3400.


5:30 pm at Sheraton Philadelphia City Center, 17th and Race Sts., Philadelphia
Laugh and share at this free women's event, where you'll learn about preventing and treating pelvic health issues like overactive bladder, incontinence, and fibroids and find out how to maintain pelvic health and gain an overall sense of balance and well-being. Enjoy an evening of expert speakers, educational booths and great giveaways! Wine, hors d'oeuvres and dessert will be served. Call 1-(866)-549-3250 to register.


5:30 pm at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Plan to attend the 13th Annual Spring Reception for the 2008 Rosie Jimenez Award, being given to Rhonda Copelon, who, as an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, argued the landmark case challenging the Hyde Amendment. This amendment prohibits the use of Medicaid for abortion. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres are included in this reception, sponsored by the Women's Medical Fund. To register, call (215) 560-4070.


9:00 am at Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, Route 52, Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE
This unique exhibition showcases stereographs, or 3-D photographs, taken of the Winterthur rooms in 1935 and 1938. Visitors have the chance to view rooms designed by Henry Francis du Pont early in his collecting career that, in some cases, no one has seen for generations. The exhibition is on view in conjunction with Winterthur’s second annual Chic It Up! Design Conference, which takes place May 16-17 and focuses on American design in the 1930s. Call 1-(800)-448-3883 to register.





For You and Those You Care For


The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information has set up a new, user-friendly consumer website that provides in-depth objective information on understanding, planning and paying for long-term care. Located at www.longtermcare.gov, the site features information and tools to help people better understand their risks for and the costs of long-term care. With an emphasis on the importance of future planning, the site includes a number of resources and interactive tools to help people prepare. 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."