Inspiring Opportunities Inspiring Opportunities Delaware, Volume 1, Issue 1 Welcome to the first edition of "Inspiring Opportunities Delaware", the e-newsletter of Coming of Age Delaware. The newsletter is intended for boomers and others 50+ who are wondering "what's next" and nonprofit leaders who are eager to engage their energy and expertise. Help build the readership of "Inspiring Opportunities Delaware" by emailing this edition to a friend or colleague. Inside: What's New Have We Got an Opportunity for You! Past Issues What's New The Serve America Act and the Work of Coming of Age: DelawareTopics: Volunteering & National Service  What is the significance of the America Serve Act for 50+ civic engagement? How do the provisions of the legislation support the work of Coming of Age Delaware? Read the thoughts of Scott Martin, our website administrator, regarding this historic legislation. Continue ReadingContributed by Scott Martin Being Downsized: A Blessing in Disguise?Topics: Career & Life Planning, Encore Careers  A new study by AARP has found that people 50+ who have switched careers, whether voluntarily or not, tend to find greater job satisfaction in their new jobs. Boomers and others 50+ are learning to appreciate the benefits of less stress on the job and more flexible working schedules. This article, published in the News Journal, also provides a helpful list of websites for 50+ job seekers or career changers. Contributed by Scott Martin RSVP Volunteers Reach Out to the Jobless This article by Lynn Kroesen, a Coming of Age Delaware contributer in Sussex County, describes "Bridge to a New Position" an innovative response to the current economic downturn created by the 50+ volunteers of RSVP Sussex and New Castle Counties. Continue ReadingContributed by Lynn Kroesen Fun-Raising: Giving Circles and BoomersTopics: Personal Philanthropy  "Giving Circles Mix Fun, Fundraising" which appeared in USA Today, is one of several articles that have noted the appeal of giving circles for boomers. It makes sense. Giving circles combine several boomer passions: making a difference, connecting socially, learning and having control over where your charitable contributions go. What are giving circles? They are groups of people who pool their resources (volunteer hours as well as money) and jointly decide what nonprofits will benefit. There are some 400 giving circles in America, both small and large. An example of the latter right here in Delaware is Social Ventures Partners Delaware. The group has given away $1.3 million and 9,000 volunteer hours since its inception in 2002. Contributed by Scott Martin More Older Americans Signing On to Volunteer AbroadTopics: International Volunteering  Applications to the Peace Corps from people 50+ have increased by 44%. More and more boomers and others 50+ are signing up for volunteer vacations. Why all this interest in international volunteering? This article from CNN.com suggests that many are taking a break from paid work and attempting to ride out the current economic storm by combining travel with service. Some are responding to President Obama's call to service. Still others are inspired by the vision of a President from their youth - John F. Kennedy. Contributed by Scott Martin Have We Got an Opportunity for You! Docent, Fenwick Island LighthouseCategories: Sussex County Type: Unpaid
Personal Ponies VolunteerCategories: New Catle County Type: Unpaid
Typical volunteer activities include, but are no where limited to the following activities:
• Grooming and exercising the ponies For more information contact Patty Draper 302-824-5724 or e-mail her at pattydraper@comcast.net. Worker's Hill InterpreterCategories: New Castle County Type: Unpaid
Hagley Museum and Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, collects, preserves, and interprets the unfolding history of American enterprise. http://www.hagley.org/volunteer-application.html |
Brought to you by
Coming of Age Delaware a coaliton of Delaware Nonprofits, originally convened by: WHYY Wider Horizons and funded by: Delaware Community Foundation. |
Volunteers are needed to keep the historic Fenwick Island Lighthouse maintained and open to the public. Volunteers will conduct tours, answer questions and give historical information about the Lighthouse to school groups and the general public. Volunteers can take charge of the small museum and gift shop on the premises. Landscaping and grass cutting are also needs. For more information, call April Willey of the Sussex County RSVP at 302-856-5815 or e-mail 
At Personal Ponies, we believe that the lives of children with disabilities are immeasurably enriched by having a small pony to care for and enjoy.
Delve into the history of home life in the 1800's along the Brandywine River. Share stories with our visitors about household chores, living conditions, and community life at Hagley. You may use the wood-burning stove or "teach" school using slate boards and quill pens. No prior experience is necessary. Training is provided. Applications accepted all year. Training: May 30, June 3, Sept. 16, 26 (only attend one day). Requested time commitment is four to five and a half hours, three times per month, weekdays and weekends. For more information contact Angela Williamson at 302-658-2400, ext.257 or e-mail c/o RSVP of New Castle County
Charles Debnam Building
1901 N. Dupont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
302-255-9882
Coming of Age
Intergenerational Center at Temple University
1700 N. Broad Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19122
phone (215) 204-8585 • fax (215) 204-3195
inspiring@comingofage.org