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


 

Eldertopia
Dr. Bill Thomas is coming to town Monday for Boomervision!^® The following illuminating anecdote is from The Greening of Aging, an article in US News and World Report in which Thomas was recognized as one of America's best leaders:

Here's more about Thomas's concept of an Eldertopia and a link to his nonprofit Eden Alternative.


Strengthening Your Own Community
Do you want to build community right where you are? The free Sustainable Communities for All Ages Toolkit was designed just for that purpose. It was developed in consultation with the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning, a Coming of Age founding partner. The Center's Director, Nancy Henkin, was recently awarded an Ashoka Fellowship for her work in developing Communities for All Ages. Watch a video about the Communities for All Ages initiative here.



In related community building news, Lynne Eiser is helping organize a conference this summer on Women Living in Community. (Lynne also developed the Creating Community section of the Coming of Age web site.)


Your Grandchild or Your House
Read about the dark side of adult-only communities in this story from AARP, a Coming of Age founding partner. It's about a couple that gained custody of their granddaughter and as a result are being forced out of their home.


Six Degrees of Giving
You may have heard about American Idol's star studded show last week that raised $70 million for children in the US and Africa. You may not have heard about the work that Philly native Kevin Bacon is doing for the greater good. Bacon recently launched SixDegrees.org, a website based on the trivia game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. The site enables people to raise money for their favorite celebrity's charity through their social connections or to become a "celebrity" for their own cause.


An Intergenerational Success Story in Bucks County
Read about Beryl Katz, who started SAGE (Senior Adults for Greater Education) that has placed over 300 volunteers in over 100 classrooms in the Council Rock School District.


It's Not Too Late to Join the Peace Corps
Just ask Evangeline Shular, who turns 101 next month. She served in India in 1967 when she was 62 years old. The oldest Peace Corps volunteer right now is 81. The organization is reshaping its youth-focused culture to attract more age 50+ volunteers.


Brain Gymnastics
The Inquirer gave us an interesting story this past week about the growth of brain games and exercises as a way to stay mentally alert and ward off dementia.

 

If you know of a volunteer opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area that you would like featured here, email details to havewegot@comingofage.org.


This Week's VISTA Opportunity
Join our team! Coming of Age needs a VISTA to help with promotion, marketing, research, evaluation, writing and more. A living allowance and other benefits are included. Learn more.


Volunteer at the Volunteer Conference
United Way of Southeastern PA, a Coming of Age founding partner, is recruiting volunteers to help with this year's National Conference on Volunteering and Service, which takes place in Philadelphia from July 16th to the 18th. You can apply here. As a bonus, volunteers who complete one three hour shift can register for the conference for $150, a significant discount.


Election Day Opportunities
Greater Philadelphia Cares, a Coming of Age partner, is offering a number of ways to get involved on May 15th, Election Day.


Help Prevent Falls
Facilitate structured workshops on fall prevention and help prevent the leading cause of serious injuries in older adults. Training is provided. Call Christine Fisher at Center in the Park for information (866) 744-1555


Volunteer with Your Pet
PAWS for People seeks volunteers to take their lovable pets to visit and bring joy to people in assisted living, healthcare, rehabilitation, Alzheimer's care centers and schools. Contact Rich Phillips at (302) 834-9245 or visit www.pawsforpeople.org.


Are You a Good Listener?
Contact Greater Philadelphia receives over 200 calls a day from people who are lonely, anxious or depressed. Volunteers answer calls and provide support. Training is provided. Call (215) 355-6611 or visit www.contactgreaterphiladelphia.org.

  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.



The Preservation Alliance
The Preservation Alliance is offering a series of free workshops this week dealing with appreciating and protecting our region's historic places and more.



Tenth Annual Chester, Ridley and Crum Streams Clean Up
9 am in Chester and Delaware Counties

Clean and Paint AcheiveAbility Houses
10am in West Philly



"The Forest for the Trees" Film and Discussion
6:00pm at the White Dog Cafe in University City
Screening and discussion of a film about an environmentalist's lawsuit against the FBI.

Broad Street Run for the American Cancer Society
8:30am in Center City

Televised Mayoral Debate and Town Meeting
8PM on WHYY television



BOOMERVISION!^® What's So Great About Growing Older?
5:30pm in Center City

Mind Your Mind: Mental Health Forum
7pm in Wynnewood

Does Religion Unite or Divide Us?
7pm at the Central Library
A panel of clergy discusses the impact of religion on our country's culture.



Immigration and Economic Liberty
6:30pm at the National Constitution Center
Participants in this presentation about immigration include Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, and former Attorney General Edwin Meese III.



AARP Day of Service
8:30 am - 3 pm
Join AARP staff and volunteers in packing and serving meals to homebound elderly and others. Contact Ivette Vasquez at
(267) 825-9923.

Community Visions Film Premiere
7pm at the International House in University City
See the latest videos — all dealing with education — produced by participants in Scribe’s Community Visions program.

Rock the Arts: Arts and Business Council Awards
Noon in Center City
This year’s annual fundraiser for Coming of Age partner The Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia is a “groovin’ noontime jam” that also includes appearances by Teddy Pendergrass and Kenny Gamble.

MORE ON BOOMERVISION!^® 2007


What's So Great About Growing Older?
Hear Dr. Bill Thomas, whose revolutionary insights and vision are having an enormous impact on the way we age and think about aging. Join a studio audience at WHYY on Monday, May 7, 5:30pm. 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."