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.

Please encourage people you know to subscribe by sending them to this page.

We will be taking a week off, so this issue covers the next two weeks.



What's New from All Over
What's New in the Region
Have We Got an Opportunity for You!
This Week



 
Why Don't Affluent Boomers Give More?
This article from AlterNet wonders why, on average, Boomers donate significantly less as a percentage of their assets than those who are younger or older than they are. "These numbers gall us because we're Baby Boomers ourselves. We'd like to believe that as a generation, we are living up to our 60s ideals. How could we lag behind both the Gen-Xers and the WWII Greatest Generation?"


Volunteers Needed For Mars Mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for 12 volunteers willing to live for 520 days in extreme "isolation and confinement" in order to simulate a trip to Mars. They have received over 2000 applications so far.

Unfortunately, Americans and those over 50 are not eligible, but we will be sure to inform you of any similar opportunities for adults over 50 here in the States or if ESA eligibility requirements change.


Are You in the Eight Percent?
According to a new Harris Poll, while two thirds of US adults think social responsibility is a good idea, only eight percent truly "practice what they preach."

What's more of a downer — the low percentage of do-gooders or the fact that one third of adults don't think social responsibility is a good idea?


Virtuous Vacations
Coming of Age founding partner AARP gives us a story about a couple who took a two week working vacation in Costa Rica. In addition to helping children, the couple wound up learning a great deal about themselves and growing closer. "We were in Costa Rica trying to give, but we have been given much more," said the wife.


A Second Chance to Join the Peace Corps
The Inquirer published a story recently about the Peace Corps' new drive to raise the number of recruits over 50 from five to fifteen percent of all volunteers.


 




Quest for Freedom
Philadelphia officials have announced a new tourist attraction linking 20 sites that tell the story of the underground railroad in the region. The purpose is to "raise awareness about the African-American experience and boost tourism."


Report Card on the Well-Being of Children and Youth in Philadelphia
If you need a reason to get involved, just read, or read about, this report: "More babies are dying. More teens are getting shot and killed, and more are getting cuffed by cops. And a greater number of kids are living in poverty or are homeless with no health insurance."

It's hard to believe we're the richest country in the world, yet 30 percent of Philadelphia's children live in poverty.


Controversy at the Schuylkill Center
We've been proud to promote many events that take place at the 364 acre Schuylkill Center in Roxborough, the largest privately held undeveloped land in the city. For some insight into the center, read this article about its fascinating history and a fight among trustees over whether the Center should be more of a nature preserve or an education and activity center.


55+ Volunteering in Delco Valued at $36M; Group Targets $90K for Near Future
In "Redefining Middle Age," the recent civic engagement study undertaken by the Delaware County Community Foundation and others, some very intriguing results were uncovered:
1. The estimated value of time donated annually by the county's 33,000 age 55+ volunteers is $36,000,000.
2. The way people 55+ in the county want more community involvement is via traditional volunteering, lifelong learning, and — work for pay.
3. When they do volunteer, they want to be shown respect, get feedback, be treated fairly, have meaningful work, and feel they're in a safe environment. More highlights.


Are You a Better Dancer than a Fifth Grader?
A few weeks ago we brought you news of an opportunity to teach dance to 5th graders. Now you can watch a video clip of the auditions.


Richard Gere to Receive Marian Anderson Award
Gere, a native Philadelphian, (he left when he was little) has been chosen to receive an award named in honor of another great Philadelphia artist, Marian Anderson. The Marian Anderson Award celebrates the unique power of the artists to change the world. The award Gala will be in Philadelphia this November. It's safe to assume some folks in India aren't too happy about this.






  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 find more opportunities at:





This Week's VISTA Opportunity
Build hope in our region by creating opportunities for youth and families to transform their neighborhoods through educational programs, community service, career development, technology and the arts. Benefits and living allowance provided. Learn More


Touching Lives over 55
Intercommunity Action has a Peer Counseling Program that offers meaningful volunteer opportunity to people 55 and over. Volunteers receive six weeks of training then lead discussion groups on health & wellness, life stories, and loss at community centers across Philadelphia. Contact Aviva at (215) 487-1296 or Jim at (215) 487-1750 ext. 3031.


It Takes a Village…
Keepers of the Village provides services such as foster care, after-school activities and mentoring to children and families. They need volunteers who can work alone or in groups and have excellent communications skills. Contact Nashid Ali at (215) 546-3503.


Volunteer at the Red Cross
The American Red Cross – Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter has many interesting volunteer opportunities available. Take a look at this page for an idea. Contact Sharon Jefferson at (215) 299-4068.



  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.




Healthy Diet: Healthy Planet
1pm in Malvern
A vegetarian buffet and program about the environmental impact of our food choices.

Summer Solstice Celebration
3pm to sunrise on Sunday at the Kimmel Center
An all day, all night entertainment extravaganza.

Support Community Outreach Program (SCOP) Expo
11am to 4pm at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park
The 22nd Annual SCOP Expo, featuring information on hundreds of community-based outreach programs. Supported by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services’ Office of Truancy and Delinquency Prevention.



"King Corn" Screening and Discussion
5pm at the White Dog Cafe
"King Corn" is a humorous and touching documentary about how we farm and the troubling questions raised by our farming methods. The film will be followed by a discussion with Kathy Ozer, Executive Director of the National Family Farm Coalition.



Anti-Poverty Advocacy
6pm at the White Dog Cafe
Join Jon Stein -- "one of the nation’s few exemplars of his generation who is still actively working as an advocate for the poor" -- as he shares stories of his career positively impacting the lives of impoverished Philadelphians.



Day of Action to Restore Law & Justice
In Washington DC
A rally to support civil liberties. Free bus rides available.

A Taste-Off for the Fire Department
10:30am on South Street
Three semi-finalists will be judged to find the official healthy sandwich of the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Philly Meals on Wheels Corporate Dineout
A Gala Reception and Silent Auction to celebrate more than $1 million raised since 1998 to support local Meals on Wheels programs for seniors in need. 



Advocacy Training for Nonprofits
10am in Center City
PANO, the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, is offering a half-day training on lobbying by nonprofits, as a powerful strategy for making people’s lives better and building stronger communities.



What to Eat
7pm at the Central Library
Marion Nestle, "America’s most respected nutritionist," PBS commentator, former head of the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University, offers an aisle-by-aisle guide to supermarket buying.




Inspiring Opportunities will be taking off next week, but here are a couple of web sites where you can find local happenings. Have a great July 4th!

Feel the Freedom Festival
Events at the National Constitution Center

America's Birthday Celebration
The big celebration at locations throughout the city




Women Living in Community: From Dreaming to Doing
July 28th & 29th
A conference in North Carolina focusing on how we can live together with mutual support, offering friendship, shared resources and continued engagement with others.

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 an Opportunity For You."




Of Interest on WHYY
Coming of Age founding partner WHYY has some programs coming up that may interest you:

Frontline "After the Wave"
Tuesday, 6/26 at 9pm
Stories from Aceh, Indonesia, the area hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami.

Presidential Forum "The Democrats"
Thursday, 6/28 at 9pm
The first of two PBS presidential forums, moderated by Tavis Smiley and featuring a panel made up of journalists of color.

more WHYY programs