February 13 - February 19

Inside:

What's New

Caregivers... Who Are They?

The most recent survey of the nation's family caregivers produced by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (Caregiving in the U.S.,2009), describes who is doing the caregiving and what it entails. No surprises...caregivers are still mostly women who are likely to be employed, usually full-time. Their "second job" takes an average of 19 hours a week. To learn more about the study's findings and its ramifications, click here.

Why Retire?

Mention retirement and many boomers will say that it's not part of the plan...for some, because of the economic crunch; others because they want to stay on the job, still feel engaged, and want to build their savings. They are not ready to leave their work "community" where they have daily contact with peers. Check out this video and article to hear the positives of being employed.

Age is Just a Number

A new website focusing on women's health, Just A Number, may soon become a "favorite." The site's slogan, age is Just a number... health is timeless, underscores the focus on articles that help women 50+ maintain their health and explore ways to make this time of life rich and satisfying.

A Wing ... A Prayer... An Elder

With millions of longer-lived men and women eager to pursue exciting adventures and physical feats, the global travel and leisure industry, long focused on youth, is racing to keep up. While family members worry about these extraordinary feats, some emergency medicine and rescue experts say that older people might in fact be safer (or at least no less safe) in adventurous, high-exertion activities than their younger counterparts. Read more...

Coming Soon

Immigrant Children Without Parents

The plight of immigrant children will be the topic of A Long Way From Home: Refugee and Immigrant Children Without Parents, a panel discussion sponsored by HIAS and Council, a WOMEN'S WAY grantee, and other nonprofits. This intergenerational, interfaith discussion will explore the experiences of youth without family from the Holocaust to the present. To attend this free event, February 17th at Montgomery McCracken, 123 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, noon to 1:00 p.m., click here.

Ask the Doctor: No Charge

Cooper University Hospital is hosting an e-Talk on February 18th, 12 p.m., that will give you the opportunity to ask a family medicine specialist any question about any health topic. You may have aches or pains that you don’t think warrant an appointment with your doctor. Or something that bothers you that could be answered before your next doctor's visit. Click here to learn more about this chat.

Finding the Children of Slaves

In honor of Black History Month, the National Constitution Center welcomes Newsweek’s Sana Butler on February 22nd, 6:30 p.m., for a conversation about her new book, Sugar of the Crop. It is an account of her ten-year odyssey to find and interview the last surviving children of American slaves and how they were raised. FREE. Reservation needed; call (215) 409-6700.

Info4Orgs

Monetary Award for Volunteer Leaders

If you know someone who demonstrates commitment and extraordinary leadership in volunteer service -- and is making a significant impact to empower others, consider nominating that person for the University of Phoenix Volunteer Leader Award being given in recognition of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act's first year. Ten volunteer leaders will be recognized; nine will be awarded $10,000 and the top honoree will receive $15,000 in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2010. Click here to complete the online nomination by March 10th.

Join a diverse group of volunteers teaching English to adult learners from the Asian, Latino, and North African communities in South Philadelphia. Classes are held Tuesday through Thursday, morning and evening; as well as Friday and Saturday mornings. Teaching experience isn't required; an extensive library of ESOL materials and good peer support is available. To learn more, e-mail Frank Karl.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art's Division of Education needs an experienced educator with an extensive background in the Philadelphia public schools to serve as Project Coordinator for the Art Speaks! Empowerment School Initiative. A master’s degree and teaching experience preferred. Part-time (25 hours a week) through December 2010. To submit your resume and cover letter, go to www.philamuseum.org/jobs.

If you are a bit of a Ms./Mr. Fix-It, The Franklin Institute Program Support Department wants you! This volunteer position entails checking exhibits to review what’s in working order and what needs repair. You will document, track and share information with staff. Weekdays preferred, 3 hours a week. Perks include free parking or transportation reimbursement. Contact Jamie Collier or call(215) 448-1163 for an application.

The American Cancer Society has a number of volunteer positions that are immediately available: Drivers to help cancer patients get to doctor's appointments; Volunteer Coordinators for this transportation program (Road to Recovery); and Pre-Sale Coordinators for Daffodil Days (promotion, sales, and collection of donations.) To learn about these and other opportunities in the Philadelphia area, call Debbie Gaynor at (610) 692-9831, x 106.

Coming of Age founding partners:

•	The Intergenerational Center At Temple University
•	WHYY Wider Horizons
•	United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
•	AARP Pennsylvania