Civic Engagement in an Older America E-Newsletter

June, 2007

CONTENTS

• The Civic Enterprise

• Volunteering Produces Health Benefits

• Civic Engagement in Later Life

• The Nonprofit Sector and the Promise of an Experienced Workforce

The Civic Enterprise

Click here to view a visual representation of “The Civic Enterprise.” The image contains links to the growing network of organizations—in the private, public, and nonprofit sector—that are working with the business, media, and philanthropic communities to define a new vision of aging that focuses on the older adult population as an untapped asset, instead of a burden. The graphic was first prepared by Greg O’Neill for UNC Greensboro’s 2nd annual Aging is Good Business Summit.


(click image to view)

Volunteering Produces Health Benefits


A new report from the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that older Americans who volunteer receive significant health benefits for their charitable efforts, including added years to their lives. "The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research" compiles compelling findings from more than 30 scientific studies that examined the relationship between health and volunteering, with particular emphasis on studies that seek to determine the causal connection between the two factors. The studies, which were controlled for other factors, found that volunteering leads to improved physical and mental health. To read the 17-page report click here. (an issue brief is also available here)

Civic Engagement in Later Life

What does civic engagement mean? Why does it matter now? And what are the implications of a civically engaged older population-for older people themselves, for those who work with them and their families, and for the larger community? The latest issue of ASA's quarterly journal Generations brings the topic of civic engagement into sharper focus. The guest editors are two of the most respected voices on the topic: Nancy Morrow-Howell from Washington University and Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of Civic Ventures. To read more or purchase a copy, click here.

The Nonprofit Sector and the Promise of an Experienced Workforce

We've just added two new reports to our website focusing on nonprofit sector efforts to retain and recruit older workers. The first is a report from The Conference Board titled "Boomers Are Ready for Nonprofits, But Are Nonprofits Ready for Them?" that concludes that nonprofit groups lag significantly behind government agencies and businesses in their efforts to attract and keep older workers. The report describes some best practices underway in the nonprofit sector, as well as an overview of private and public sector responses. The second report showcases the winners of the "2007 MetLife Foundation / Civic Ventures BreakThrough Award", a new award for nonprofit and public sector organizations that are providing meaningful public interest jobs for people over 50. To view these reports click here.

The CE-Newsletter is the E-Newsletter of GSA’s Civic Engagement in an Older America Project. The "Civic Engagement in an Older America" project is supported
by a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.

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