Inspiring Opportunities is a weekly email 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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What's New
Have We Got a Volunteer Opportunity for You!
This Week


 
Making Money and Saving the World
Read about the emerging "fourth sector," which is trying to "harness the power of private enterprise to create social benefit." It's a growing movement with enormous potential for positive change.


Suburban Sprawl Linked to Depression
A new study finds that living in a walkable, pedestrian-friendly community helps older men fight off depression.


The Health Benefits of Volunteering
A new report from Coming of Age partner the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that older volunteers enjoy greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease.


Older and Wiser?
The New York Times gave us a series this past Sunday on the new middle age. Of note, we had Nora Ephron's admitting to buying senior movie tickets, William Safire's observing that if middle age is 64, then we could expect to live to 128, a slide show on "Boomer Babes: five women who defined -- and defied --a generation's standards of beauty," and a feature story exploring whether we really grow wiser as we age. There's also an online quiz to measure your wisdom.


Bill Clinton Writes a Boomer Crossword Puzzle
You can even work on it online. It's interesting that the Times puzzle editor found in necessary to warn readers that the clues are "a little more playful" than the typical puzzle. Sounds like he felt the former president didn't take the job seriously enough?


Your "Dreams Don't Retire," But Will These Ads?
People seem to love or hate those Dennis Hopper Ameriprise commercials, where the former counter-culture icon looks you right in the eyes and tells you you're not ready for a rocking chair. Even marketing pros have strong feeling about these ads. For a sampling of the "hate it" view, Ageless Marketing calls the ads "pandering" and says "those who craft messages for older minds are hopelessly out of sync with the realities of maturation." From the "love it" side, MarketingProfs:Daily Fix, tells advertisers to "take a cue from Dennis Hopper and get hip to who we are."



  If you know of a volunteer opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area that you would like featured here, email details to havewegot@comingofage.org. You can also find one-time volunteer opportunities below under “This Week.”


This Week's VISTA Opportunity
The Empowerment Group of Philadelphia is looking for a VISTA volunteer. Their mission is to promote economic growth in distressed urban communities by cultivating local entrepreneurship and creating positive, lasting change. Learn more.


Do a Mitzvah! (Good Deed)
The Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia has several opportunities available, such as tutoring, playing chess with kids, home repair, computer training, making reassuring telephone calls and more! Contact Sandy Fryer or call (215) 698-9950 ext 112. Learn More.


Help People Stay Healthy
A Little Taste of Everything (ALTOE) provides nutritious, affordable food and educational material to low-income families in Philadelphia. They need volunteers who can help with fundraising, accounting and event planning. Contact Johanna Rosen.
Learn More.


Get Out the Vote!
The Vote for Homes! coalition gets thousands of people who are homeless or living in poverty to the polls on election day. Training for volunteers is Saturday, May 12th 3-5pm at 1515 Fairmount Avenue. RSVP by email or call (215) 232-7272.
Learn More.


Be a Friend!
ActionAIDS seeks volunteers for its Volunteer Buddies program. Volunteer Buddies are paired with ActionAIDS clients and provide them with companionship and practical support.
Call (215) 981-3324.
Learn 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.



Wissahickon Restoration
10:30am-12:30pm in Roxborough–Mount Airy
Coming of Age partner Great Philadelphia Cares (GPC) needs a few good volunteers to remove invasive vegetation, plant and care for new trees, and repair trails in this historic area. Contact Ron Ayres at (215) 653-0421.

Camden Children’s Garden
11am to 4pm in Camden, NJ
Greater Philadelphia Cares and the Camden Children’s Garden asks for your help with their monthly children’s events. Volunteers will help with planting and environmental education projects. Contact Tracy Tomchik at (856) 365-8733



Gospel Music Night for Stroke Awareness
4pm in Langhorne
St. Mary Medical Center, in partnership with the American Stroke Association and the NAACP of Bucks County, hosts this awareness-raising event.

Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer
8am in Center City
You can still register or sponsor a runner.

Serve Dinner to the Homeless
4:30pm to 6pm in Chester
Greater Philadelphia Cares asks you to pitch in to help serve dinner to homeless men and families in the city of Chester. After dinner is served, feel free to stay, visit, and brighten someone’s evening. Contact Yvette Streater at (215) 931-2594.



The Smoke of the Gods: A Social History
7pm at the Central Library
Eric Burns, host of Fox News Watch on the cultivation and consumption of tobacco from pre-Columbian days to the present.



The Dred Scott Case, 150 Years Later
6:30pm at the National Constitution Center
Marking the 150th Anniversary of the Dred Scott decision, and to discuss its essential historical context and enduring legacy, the National Constitution Center presents three leading scholars sharing insights on the case that ultimately led the United States into civil war.



Socially Responsible Business Networking Event
6pm in Fairmount
Connect with business people who want to make a difference.

Benefit for Mommy's Light
7pm in Downingtown
Philadelphia Eagles players vs. the Downingtown High basketball teams in a Charity Basketball Game to benefit the Mommy’s Light Lives On Fund, which brings joy and comfort to children and teens by helping them keep alive traditions and simple pleasures they shared with their mothers.



Human Rights Forum
7pm in Center City
Amnesty International presents a a discussion on human rights, with a special focus on prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay.

Tools for Effective Non-Profit Fundraising
8am in Center City
The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce presents a program on how to design a diverse fundraising plan.

Health Care Reform
7:30pm in Malvern
Practical? Possible? Pipe Dream? Find out.

MORE ON BOOMERVISION!^® 2007


Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America
A Town Hall Meeting with AARP CEO Bill Novelli. Hear his ideas, ask him questions, influence his thinking. At the National Constitution Center on Wednesday, May 30, 5pm. To register call (215) 351-0511.
Learn More.



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 a Volunteer Opportunity For You."