Links
General Civic Engagement Info:
Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers and Civic Engagement
This website is for the report from the Harvard School of Public Health-MetLife Foundation Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement. The report spotlights key issues that must be addressed to involve large numbers of baby boomers in volunteer activities as they reach retirement. In addition, it recommends actions by key sectors of society, including government, nonprofit organizations, business, philanthropy, faith-based institutions, and the media. It is hoped that the Report will provide focus, lend visibility, and add momentum to activities already underway, and stimulate the growth of new initiatives.
Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering
The Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Research and Policy Development looked at data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau ofLabor Statistics from 2002-2006. The data trace the volunteer habits of the same sample of Baby Boomers over two consecutive years, as well as a similar sampleof pre-Boomers. They hope that the report's findings will help nonprofits and others gain greater insight into the volunteer preferences of Baby Boomers so that turnover can be kept to a minimum and the greatest number of Boomers will remain engaged in their communities in their later years.
ASA's Civic Engagement Program
The Civic Engagement Program of the American Society on Aging "funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, focuses on civic engagement as a part of ASA's overall strategic commitment to strengths based approaches to older adults. This Atlantic Philanthropies grant provides us with the opportunity to develop a strategic focus on civic engagement within ASA's leadership and promote the concept within our membership." The website includes definitions of civic engagement, as well as information about resources related to civic engagement, links to other civic engagement related sites, and links to civic engagement reports and resources.
Civic Engagement: A Report from the University of Maine Center on Aging This report was prepared for the Blaine House Conference on Aging under a Cooperative Agreement between the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. This report examines "civic engagement as it relates to volunteerism and community activism," and attempts to address whether seniors will become engaged at the levels anticipated and the "bestmethods for attracting, engaging and retaining those who do choose to be civically engaged."
Generations - a publication of the American Society on Aging
The entire issue is devoted to issues related to older workers, focusing "on the aging of the workforce. Together, the articles have an important message to employers in the non-profit, for profit, and public sectors. Ready or not, here they come. One reason we say "Get Ready" is that old ideas about aging and work may no longer apply to today's circumstances."
The Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA) is a new coalition of 25 leading organizations representing older adults and the eldercare workforce, including family caregivers, healthcare professionals, and direct-care workers that has joined together to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers and caregivers who are adequately prepared to meet the unique care needs of older adults. The Alliance was formed in direct response to a 2008 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report that concluded that America¿s eldercare workforce is dangerously understaffed and unprepared to care for the rapidly growing number of older adults in the U.S. The Alliance is a Project of the Tides Center and the Tides Advocacy Fund and will be directed by Alice H. Hedt, formerly the Executive Director of the National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR). The Alliance will be partnering with older adults and their family members as well as national organizations to work with the Administration and Congress to effect changes that improve healthcare and care for America¿s elders. The Atlantic Philanthropies and the John A. Hartford Foundation provided funds for the development of the Alliance.
Volunteerism Info:
Foster Grandparent Program - 303-297-0408
Volunteer work for seniors to help children and teens
Contact: Laura Wildt lwildt@voacolorado.org
Handyman Program/Denver - 720-264-3331
Volunteers provide minor home repairs and safety
assessments for older adults and people with disabilities.
Contact: handyman@voacolorado.org
RSVP Program - 303-297-0408
Volunteer opportunities for people 55 and better in
Denver, Douglas and western Arapahoe counties.
Contact: Linda L. Winkler lwinkler@voacolorado.org
Sunset Park Senior Center - 303-297-0230
Multi-purpose center offering programs and noon meals.
Contact: spsrcenter@voacolorado.org
Volunteer Program - 303-297-0408
Volunteer opportunities within Volunteers of America.
Contact: Jason L. Owens jowens@voacolorado.org
Youth Volunteer Program - 303-297-0408
Meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth.
Contact: Mindy Chambers mchambers@voacolorado.org