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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Coming of Age is proud to announce that one of our founding partners, the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning, has just made a major contribution to promoting 50+ civic engagemment. It's Capturing Experience, a free online interactive course filled with strategies to help capture the talent and expertise of people age 50+. Based on extensive research and field experience, Capturing Experience is designed to help nonprofits take advantage of the energy, talent and skills of of people 50+ who are eager to connect and contribute to their communities.


The American Federation for Aging Research and the MetLife Foundation have launched a project to examine how attitudes towards the aging process can affect your willingness to do more exercise, eat better, and adopt a healthier lifestyle. We've included their brief, three-minute survey regarding your health and the road ahead. Your answers will help frame an awareness campaign that will help everyone live better, longer, and healthier lives. Thanks in advance for completing this survey. Click here.


Losing a spouse is devastating, and it would seem even harder to lose a partner after you have shared a particularly close and successful marriage or other long-term relationship. So, the results reported in Spousal Bereavement in Late Life, a book based on a longitudinal study of 1,500 older married couples, may come as a surprise: while the initial grief can be profound, people who have had happy relationships often have an easier adjustment. Read this Time article to learn more ...



Boomers retire and corporations suffer! According to a new study of large corporations by Aon Consulting reported in Financial Week, the majority of employers feel that the wave of Boomers now starting to retire will leave them with a substantial shortage of leadership talent in the near future. More than 60% of corporations polled by Aon stated that their businesses will be affected by the loss of Boomer talent—up from only 16% of employers the year before. Maybe that will mean more opportunities for Boomers to be "consultants" to fill the gap... and does that come with benefits?


Each June, Philadelphia FIGHT and others coordinate a series of free, public educational events that aim to raise HIV awareness, improve access to HIV information, and stimulate sustainable community activities for those infected with and affected by HIV. This year, more than 100 agencies have come together to create a schedule of events centered on the theme: Prevention, Treatment, Justice! To find out more and to register, visit Philadelphia FIGHT or call (215) 985-4448, ext. 250.




 
Main Line Art Center, in Haverford, PA, needs volunteers for its upcoming Children’s Art Festival on Saturday, June 7. The festival is free, open to the public and features art for kids of all ages, entertainment, and refreshments/food for sale. Volunteers will help with art projects, ticket sales and refreshment sales. Time commitments and responsibilities are flexible. People interested in getting involved can contact Katlyn Groppi at kgroppi@mainlineart.org or (610) 525-0272 x17.




  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:




Tenacity, a rapidly growing youth development organization that provides intensive athletic, academic, and life skills programs to more than 4,500 Boston youth, is looking for an energetic, creative individual to join its team as a VISTA as the Program Support Specialist. Tenacity combines tennis instruction and academic support with a focus on life skills to support the scholastic, character, and physical development of multicultural, urban youth. Read More.


Coming of Age partner, RSVP of Montgomery County ,a volunteer recruitment, training and placement agency for older adults, seeks a paid, part-time Field Coordinator for the North Penn area. Responsibilities include recruiting, training and matching volunteers to positions in area nonprofits and conducting community outreach. Pictured here is one of the terrific RSVP volunteers, Maureen Cass. To learn about this position, Read More.


Become a friend of The Friends of Kensington Library, part of Philadelphia's Free Library system. Plan on attending the monthly meeting at 104 Dauphin Street, Philadelphia, to hear from library staff, discuss the community’s needs, and plan new projects, including increasing the library's visibility by designing banners and/or a mural. To get involved, call (215) 567-4562.


Schuylkill Banks, Philadelphia's newest riverfront destination, is recruiting volunteers to work at a number of its ongoing activities, including movie nights, kayak tours, and riverboat tours. Individual events like the Pet Fest and the Fishing Festival also need volunteers looking for a one-day opportunity in September. All of these positions need folks who are friendly, outgoing, punctual, and eager to assist visitors in this exciting, new venue. Call (215) 985-9393 for information. Read More.


The Philadelphia Film Society invites you to become a part of the 14th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (July 10-21). Volunteers play an essential role in making this annual festival a success! Needed: venue managers, ushers, box office personnel, program guide distributors, and advanced ticket sales representatives. Training sessions will be held in June through early-July. You will receive a festival T-Shirt, complimentary tickets or an All-Access Badge to festival films for your time. Contact: Parinda Patel at (267) 765-9700 x.205




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!


12:00 pm at South Philadelphia High School, Broad & Snyder Streets, Philadelphia
United Communities is a nonprofit that follows the settlement house tradition--working with its various communities to foster social and economic justice, and support cultural harmony by building self-sustaining communities. The theme for this year's fair is ''South Philly's Got Talent.'' Be there to celebrate the achievements and talents of South Philadelphia youth through live performances and an art exhibit. Call (215) 952-8549 for more information.


1:00 pm at Prophecy Creek Park (parking lot near Shady Grove School), Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA
Join the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) for a guided walk of the Association’s newest preserve, Briar Hill. This 100-acre treasure of natural land, a great bird-watching site and home to a variety of wildlife, runs along Lewis Lane in Whitpain Township and was preserved by WVWA in 2006. The gentle walk will take you along trails that run throughout the preserve. Good walking shoes are advised. For information, call WVWA at (215) 646-8866.


7:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia
Bread and Cup is a multicultural, intergenerational coffee house that showcases local artists from Germantown and the greater Philadelphia region. With an eclectic mix of all races, ages, and backgrounds, Bread and Cup presents a real cross-section of Philadelphia life and art, on the first Sunday of every month. Coffee and snacks are free (donations gladly accepted!) Call (215) 843-8811 for information.


8:00 pm at Gershman Y, 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
Representing two very different positions, Ambassador Dore Gold, President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, and Dr. Leonard Fein, widely-read author, will address the enormous challenges facing Israel at 60. They will explore Israel's quest for peace with the looming threats of Iran’s nuclear program, the rise of Mideastern radicalism; the Hamas/Fatah division, and the implications of a two-state solution. $25. Register online or contact Mindy Blechman at (215) 635-7300 x154.


7:00 pm at Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA
Want to trace your ancestors, but just don't know where to begin? Have you always wondered about your family's story? Come to The Historical Society of Montgomery County for this beginner-level, four week genealogy workshop. Pre-registration is required. Seating is limited. $5-$8. To sign up, call (610) 272-0297.


4:00 pm at LAVA Space, 4134 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia
If you are interested in radical art, media, and political action, this is a library for you! The Lancaster Avenue Autonomous Space will be offering open library hours to attract people in the area interested in sharing their expressive, creative ideas. Full-time library hours will be instituted later this year. For information, call (215) 387-6155.


6:00 pm at University City Science Center, Esther Klein Gallery, 3600 Market Street.
“Odor Limits,” a multimedia exhibit that explores the potential of smell to redefine aesthetic experiences is currently at the University City Science Center. The exhibit, a collaborative effort with the Monell Center, showcases four international artists whose work demonstrates how scent can prompt thought-provoking insights into cultural differences, environmentalism, personal identity, spirituality and the philosophy of the body. For additional information, contact Terry Molnar at (212) 725-2755 ext. 228


6:30 pm at McNeil Center for Early American Studies, 3355 Woodland Walk, Philadelphia
Four speakers will present evidence that the future site of SugarHouse Casino is the former site of a 250-year-old British fort. It is said that Native American artifacts have also been retrieved from this location, and the speakers will make the case that more investigation is needed. Join the discussion. FREE. Contact: (215) 387-6155.


6:00 pm at Chanticleer Garden, 786 Church Road, Wayne, PA
Gardeners and those who delight in natural beauty are sure to find this Philadelphia Horticultural Society lecture about growing native plants compelling and delightful. Uniquely adapted to local growing conditions, native plants are among the most rewarding plants you can grow but remain unfamiliar to many gardeners. The talk will be at Chanticleer, a jewel of a garden located on the Main Line. Call (215) 988-8869 for tickets.


7:00 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
Cartoonist, novelist, and playwright Lynda Barry is the creator of the syndicated comic strip Ernie Pook’s Comeek featuring the incomparable Marlys and Freddy. She will be speaking at the Free Library about her new book, What It Is, that includes drawings, comics, collages, autobiographical sections and creative guidance exploring the inner and outer realms of creation and imagination. FREE. For information, call (215) 567-4341.


9:00 am at Academy of Natural Sciences, N. 19th and Race Sts., Philadelphia
Learn the dramatic story of the brilliant 19th century friar who became the father of modern genetics. Recreate Gregor Mendel’s famous pea experiment to discover the laws of heredity and meet modern scientists on the cutting edge of genetics. See the real thing: Mendel’s botanical specimens, scientific instruments, correspondence and gardening tools. Videos and hands-on interactive elements make the fundamentals of genetics accessible to everyone. The exhibit, sponsored by Villanova University, runs through September 28.






For You and Those You Care For


It is important to understand how much of the cost Medicare covers for medically-necessary outpatient physical therapy(PT), speech-language pathology (SLP), and occupational therapy (OT).   What are the therapy limits for 2008? • $1,810 for PT and SLP combined • $1,810 for OT after you pay your yearly deductible for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), Medicare pays its share (80%) and you pay your share (20%) of the cost. The Part B deductible is $135 for 2008. Medicare will keep paying its share until the total, including the deductible and co-payments, reaches the therapy limit. 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."