Coming of Age Philadelphia

May 16 to May 22

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.


Inside:

What's New
Coming Soon
Have We Got an Opportunity for You!
Make-A-Difference Calendar
This Week's Medicare Tip
Past Issues

What's New

Coming of Age: Delaware Launches Website

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Coming of Age: Delaware has "come of age" with the launching of its new website (de.comingofage.org). We are delighted to have another community joining the Coming of Age family! The site features civic engagement news from a Delaware perspective, a message board, video from WHYY-TV's Wider Horizons program, and helpful resources. Check them out, and while you are there, sign up for the upcoming e-blast, "Inspiring Opportunities Delaware," so that you can stay up-to-date about the second half of life in the First State. 

Seniors Celebrate the Arts

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The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging is presenting “Seniors Celebrate the Arts,” a month-long, city-wide celebration showcasing the talent and creativity of older Philadelphians. In addition to art shows throughout the city, it also offers older adults the opportunity to experience the visual arts, music, drama, dance, poetry, crafts, fashion, and more, with special discounts to performances and venues. Click here for coupons. Click here for a listing of events.

What About Facebook?

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Facebook, by some measurements the most popular social network with 175 million active users worldwide, is one of the fastest-growing and best-known sites on the Internet today. And who are the fastest-growing user group? Yup, it's our Boomer crowd -- with the number of women and men 55 on Facebook tripling since fall. Why not just pick up the phone or send an e-mail to keep in touch with friends and family? Click here to find out.

Coming Soon

Call for Artists

 
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AARP, a Coming of Age founding partner, invites members to enter its 2010 calendar contest. Fourteen paintings on the theme "There's Nowhere I'd Rather Be" will be selected and exhibited at AARP's Life@50+ National Event in Las Vegas. Contestants must be amateurs and their paintings must be original. For more information, go to www.aarp.org/foundation or call 1-888-687-2277 (toll free). Entries must be postmarked by June 6th.

Delaware County Boomervision in June

 
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Boomervision!® is coming to Delaware County! The program, to be held on June 18th at the Delaware County Community College, will feature a panel of experts on employment, lifelong learning, volunteerism and lifestyle choices. Supporters for this debut gathering are the Delaware County Community Foundation (DCCF), Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), AARP PA, WHYY, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Crozer-Keystone Health System. Free to WHYY and AARP members; $10 for non-members. To learn more about this event, and to register
Continue Reading

Have We Got an Opportunity for You!

Intergenerational Community Seeking Volunteers

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Camphill Soltane is a Chester County-based community where students (18-25 years old) and adult residents with developmental disabilities live, learn and work together with residential volunteers in an intergenerational community. The community needs part-time helpers to work with the "households" where people with disabilities and volunteers share a full life together. The part-time helper's tasks may include cooking, engaging with the students and residents, and doing projects. To learn more, contact Anne-Marie McMahon at (610) 469-0933 or by e-mail.

Tour Guide at Masonic Library and Museum

Categories: History, Museums, Volunteers
Type: Unpaid
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History and architecture buffs may find this opportunity irresistible. The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, located within the 1873 National Historic Landmark Masonic Temple, is actively seeking volunteers to assist with tours throughout the Masonic Temple. Friendly people with prior experience in an educational or museum setting are preferred. Applicants should be willing to commit 10 hours per week; flexible schedule. To apply, submit a letter of interest and resume to John Orr.

Incarcerated Youth and Adults Need Direction

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Thresholds in Delaware County is a non-profit organization that teaches a decision-making program to interested inmates in Delaware County prisons. Volunteers are needed to work one-on-one with juveniles in detention and adults in prison. A training weekend will be held on June 6th and 7th at Neumann College in Aston, PA. To come to the training session or to learn more, call (610) 459-9384.

Volunteer Coordinator Opening

Type: Part-time
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The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging has a part-time position for a Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Coordinator who is responsible for volunteer recruitment, training, placement, and monitoring of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. A Bachelor's degree in social work or related fields and a valid driver's license are required. To learn more about the position, click here.

Make-a-Difference Calendar
Saturday, May 16

Awakening the Dreamer Symposium

9:30 am at Narberth Borough Hall, 100 Conway Ave. Narberth, PA
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The Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium is dedicated to introducing new perspectives for building a future based on sustainable practices, spiritual fulfillment, and social justice. It will feature video insights from inspiring philosophers, scientists, community leaders including Paul Hawken, Julia Butterfly Hill, Van Jones and many more. Come together with conscious, aware people who care deeply about our world, our community, our families. $10 is the suggested donation. Simple lunch provided. To register, call (610) 642-3355 or e-mail

Monday, May 18

Welcoming Center Holds Town Meeting

5:00 pm at WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia
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Small business is the economic backbone of Philadelphia. From corner groceries to clothing stores, Philadelphians rely on the goods and services provided by entrepreneurs -- many of whom are immigrants. Their challenges and triumphs are a key part of the city's resilience during this economic downturn. The Welcoming Center will hold a town-hall meeting and panel discussion for business owners and neighborhood residents to identify the most pressing integration issues for immigrants and native-born business leaders and discuss solutions. For more information, call (215) 557-2856.

Tuesday, May 19

Storytelling "Genius" Talks About America

7:30 pm at Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia
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Simon Schama, National Book Critics Circle Award winner and professor of art history and history at Columbia University, will speak about his latest work, The American Future (also a BBC documentary). Using the 2008 presidential campaign as a launching point, Schama explores America's identity through its military might, religious fervor, complicated relationship with immigration, and staggering abundance. Cost: $14. To reserve a ticket, click here.

Wednesday, May 20

Should I Gamble and Be Uninsured?

10:00 am at College of Physicians, 19 S. 22nd Street (near 22nd and Market St), Philadelphia
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Are you someone (or do you know others) without health insurance and are eager to find out what programs are available? If so, plan on attending this public seminar about private and public coverage options that will feature local financial and health experts. Among the topics will be should I gamble and be uninsured and how do I find out if my family is eligible for publicly-financed health coverage? FREE. Click here to register online.

Thursday, May 21

Help is On the Way

9:00 am at Thomas Bruder Life Center, Neumann College, 1 Neumann Drive, Aston, PA
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Are you in need of services and programs to help you get through the economic downturn? Learn about the many local, state, and federal government programs and services that are available to help Pennsylvanians get through these tough economic times. People attending this workshop will receive information about health care coverage, utility assistance, financial planning, re-employment and more. FREE. To learn more, contact United Way of Southeast Delaware County at (610) 874-8646, ext. 106.

"Radio Times" on the Road

6:00 pm at Thomas Great Hall, Bryn Mawr College, 101 North Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA
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Don't miss this chance to experience Radio Times on the Road, a special live version of WHYY FM's renowned program with Marty Moss-Coane. She and a panel of distinguished local guests will discuss the national political scene, including the recent defection of Senator Arlen Spector from the Republican Party. Afterwards, meet with Moss-Coane, the Radio Times production team, and the panel, for a post-discussion coffee and dessert reception. $15 for WHYY members. To reserve your space, click here.

This Week's Medicare Tip

Older Americans Month 2009

 
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May is Older Americans Month, a great time to bring attention to the issues that affect older adults and create community-wide opportunities to help older Americans improve their quality of life. This year’s theme is “Living Today For a Better Tomorrow,” and we, as a nation, must work together to give older adults the tools they need to make healthy decisions. Continue Reading




Radio Portraits
Coming of Age
Radio Portraits, produced by WHYY, feature age 50+ Philadelphia-area people who have made exciting life transitions. Click here to see and hear their wonderful stories and to submit your story!



 Coming of Age "Blog"
Dick Goldberg
Read the latest post on the Blog by Coming of Age Director Dick Goldberg
Guest Blog: Teach Our Children Well...


Coming of Age
Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning
1601 N. Broad Street, Room 206, Philadelphia, PA 19122
phone (215) 204-8585 • fax (215) 204-3195
inspiring@comingofage.org