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


 
How Do You Tell Your Life Story?
The New York Times had a fascinating article this week on how the way we tell our life story relates to who we are. They found that "generative adults -- those who score high on tests measuring civic-mindedness, who are likely to be energetic and involved -- tend to see many of the events of their life in the reverse order, as linked by themes of redemption." Whereas those with "mood problems" describe their memories as tainted by dark details. The good news is that reinterpreting our memories might lead to altering our outlook and future behavior.


How Big is the Generation Gap? $200,000
We often hear that the rich are getting richer. But did you know that "nearly all additional wealth created in the USA since 1989 has gone to people 55 and older?" According to USA Today, "The implications are far-reaching and can turn conventional wisdom on its head. Social Security and Medicare increasingly are functioning as a transfer of money from less affluent young people to much wealthier older people."


Interfaith Peace Walk -- June 3rd
Why are Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus and others gathering in Northwest Philadelphia on June 3 to call for peace in our world and on our streets? Find out here. Here's a link to the group organizing the walk.


Does Shopping for Charity Create a False Sense of Giving?
Some experts are questioning whether people who buy products in which a portion of their profits go to charity are being mislead into thinking they are making more of a difference than they really are.


Inspiring Story
Ellen Linderman of Warminster is a 35-year-old mother of two who lost her husband to cancer two years ago. To help others cope with similar tragedies, she created the Ted Linderman Foundation, which grants families $3,000 a month for the first three months after such a death. Read her story here. There will be a fundraiser for the Foundation on Friday, June 1.


Eat Healthy and Support Sustainable Agriculture
Here's a guide to farmers markets in the Delaware Valley.


Bono to Receive the Liberty Prize
Bono, the lead singer of U2, and his nonprofit advocacy group DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) will be this year's recipient of the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal.


Giving Opportunity
Debbie Lombardo, 14, lost her mother and her home in a fire at the Italian Market last week. "She'd never known her father. She had no brothers or sisters. Her grandmother, who lived with them above the 9th Street bread shop, died two years ago. There was no life insurance. No property insurance." You can read more here. Donations can be made out to "Debbie Lombardo" and sent to Jill Porter at the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.


  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 Community Partnership In Action (CPIA) at Bryn Mawr college needs a VISTA program coordinator. Learn more.


Like the Third Shift?
The Northeast Youth Curfew Center is supported by volunteers from 9pm-6am. Volunteers talk, read and provide support and comfort for the young. Please call Nancy Doerr at (267) 249-3576 for more information. Read more about curfew centers here. To volunteer at other neighborhood curfew centers, call (215) 683-5770.


Help People with Disabilities
Magee Rehabilitation Center needs volunteers to assist with patient recreation activities that include crafts, card games and horticulture. Contact Susie Toland at (215) 587-3140 or stoland@mageerehab.org.


Support Fair Trade
Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit store that markets handicrafts made by unemployed and underemployed artisans from around the world. Volunteers are needed for running the cash register, unpacking handicrafts and recruiting other volunteers. Go to www.tenthousandvillages.com or call (610) 892-5020 for more information.


  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.




Conference on the Sudan
Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the University of Pennsylvania
A conference being held by the Sudan Studies Association at the University of Pennsylvania that will address, among other subjects, the crisis in Darfur.



End War, Not Just this War
11am in Center City
Richard Kiniry, the leader of the Philadelphia Ethical Society will explore the question: "How many wars, just or otherwise, must fail to make life better while killing thousands of men, women, and children before we admit that war doesn't make sense?"



Voices of War
1pm to 4pm in Center City
This unique Memorial Day event explores the experiences of individuals caught in armed conflict throughout history. Professional actors will perform excerpts from journals, letters and fictional accounts of characters caught in conflicts ranging from the Battle of Marathon two centuries ago to modern encounters in Rwanda and Iraq.




Conference on Child Welfare
May 30 to June 1
One Child, Many Hands: A Multidisciplinary Conference on Child Welfare at the University of Pennsylvania.



Where Have All the Protesters Gone?
6:30pm in Center City
Prince Music Theatre writer-in-residence Albert Innaurato will moderate a panel discussion on the politics of war, public outrage and protesting between 1967 and 2007.




June 11 BOOMERVISION!^® The New Revolutionaries

MORE ON BOOMERVISION!^® 2007


Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America
A Town Hall Meeting with AARP CEO Bill Novelli. Please note: This event is almost sold out. 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."