Service Nation!

On Saturday, Service Nation kicked off their Movement with a Day of Action. Over 2700 service events were hosted around the country to urge individuals and communities to take action. More than 100 events took place in Massachusetts. At Generations Incorporated we hosted our own event: a Bookfolder Bonanza (above). Over 40 folks showed up to help us create the curriculum materials that we'll use in our new programs in Revere this fall.

The Day of Action follows the Service Nation Summit which took place in New York City on Sept 11th & 12th. At the Summit, both Presidential candidates, Senators McCain and Obama, pledged to make national service a priority in their administration. Also at the Summit, every time service was mentioned, folks over the age of 50 were included in the discussion. Experience Corps, our national partner, was specifically highlighted. This is a major change in the way service is seen around the country and I'm giving a cheer at my desk in appreciation.

About ServiceNation: The ServiceNation Movement is a national grassroots campaign that launched immediately following the ServiceNation Summit in New York City. It rallies the voices of ordinary Americans behind the idea that citizen service can strengthen our democracy, and help solve our most persistent social challenges and crises. These voices call upon the next President and Congress, leaders from all sectors of society, and fellow Americans to join to create a new era of service and civic engagement in America: an era in which by 2020, 100 million Americans will volunteer time in schools, workplaces, and faith-based and community institutions each and every year (up from 61 million today), and that increasing numbers of Americans annually will commit a year of their lives to national service.

From Grad School to Kindergarten

I know, I know. Most people finish Kindergarten before going to grad school. But I needed a catchy line. Please read on.

A sad truth in urban America, including Boston, is that the "achievement gap" exists even before the first day of school for far too many children. There are many reasons for this, most related directly or indirectly to economics.

In Boston, the recently formed Zero to Five Coalition is developing strategies to prepare all young children for school. It is an ambitious plan, led by Mayor Menino, and involving all sectors of our City. Its premise is that all children are born ready to learn and need a nurturing supportive environment to do so, starting with the family and extending into every layer of community. We want to eliminate the achievement gap in Boston before kids enter school, by preparing them be ready for school when they reach Kindergarten.

Generations Incorporated will help. With a grant from an anonymous foundation we are developing a project that will place trained Experience Corps members, all volunteers, in Kindergarten classrooms in our partner schools. Imagine the increased learning that can happen with another caring adult present.

Here's the Grad School part. Wheelock College, a national leader in early education, will teach a specially designed graduate course in Early Childhood Education for our Experience Corps members. They will attend Friday and Saturday classes in April and May, and with additional training by the public schools, will be ready to go to Kindergarten in the fall.

They will then serve in Kindergarten classrooms helping children with literacy skills, specifically oral language, as well as play and social skills. They will help reach out to and support parents, so that parents can learn to be "first teachers" for their children.

We are grateful to our partners in this project, including the BPS Early Childhood Department, Wheelock College, and our donors. This is one example of the impact that we as older adults can make in our community, and our deep desire to do so.

It important to act now, there is a lot of work to be done. If you would like to support this effort, please contact me.

Looking for a Few Good Boomers

Are you retired or semi-retired? Do you still want to work but not full time? How about a job that is meaningful, flexible, and surrounded by good people? Can you motivate people to get results? Read on!

How about a 15- hour work week with paid time off? And while good pay is involved, this is not a job intended to pay all of your bills. Think about becoming involved with an organization that has very high standards and is nationally recognized as a leader in many ways.

Who are we? We are a dozen or so paid staff (smart, fun, helpful, hard-working, multi-generational). We are 300 older adults who serve as volunteer tutors and 25 full time AmeriCorps members dedicating a year of service to Boston. We are part of a wonderful national network called Experience Corps. And did I mention the 3400 Boston children and their families who benefit from our many literacy programs? We are Generations Incorporated, Boston's host to Experience Corps.

What's the job? We call it Part-Time Program Manager. You'll oversee operations at two of our service sites (either a school or an after school program).

Our's is a fast-paced learning environment. We work together in mutual respect as a team. And we are looking for 3 good boomers.

Interested? Email Helen Garretson, Director of Programs: hgarretson@generationsinc.org or call her at 617-399-4660. Visit our website to learn more: http://www.generationsinc.org/.

Thank You, Mary the Fourth

Today is Thank Your Mentor Day!

Please remember to thank those who influenced you, gave you encouragement and guidance. I would like to pay tribute to mine.

My first boss here in Boston taught me that service is not something done to others, but instead a mutual partnership. (I didn't quite know what she meant then, but I do now). She told me that humor and humility would get me places. I learned some pretty great lessons from her. Even now, 30 years later, I depend on her as my teacher. And friend. Thanks, Sandy.

Mary the Fourth is my 80-year old aunt (we come from a long line of Marys). She has been a constant and important presence in my life. We are both stubborn as rocks and she says that is a good thing. She has been friend, driving instructor (after I fired my father), role model, and to this day, confidante. She still encourages me in every pursuit. And she taught me the most important lesson of my life: do not give up. Thank you, Mary the Fourth!

300 Experience Corps members from this organization are busy at this very moment mentoring hundreds of children in Boston. They have more wisdom, compassion, and talent than I can write about in this post. They are an inspiration, every one. Thank you all.