Civic Ventures :: Catching the Wave - The Journalists' Guide

Older Adults and Civic Engagement
A R C H I V E S

Civic Ventures - "The Boomers' Guide to Good Work" – This 16-page pamphlet, written by Ellen Freudenheim (author of Looking Forward: An Optimist's Guide to Retirement), is designed to help boomers find public service jobs - whether full or part time - in the second half of life. It offers advice on seeking work in critical fields such as education and health care, and provides links to dozens of web sites listing resources and jobs in the nonprofit sector. (2005) – [VIEW]
Civic Ventures - "Recasting Retirement: New Perspectives on Aging and Civic Engagement" – This publication highlights the findings from research co-sponsored by Civic Ventures and Temple University's Center for Intergenerational Learning (2002) – [VIEW]
"Boomers are Ready for Nonprofits, but are Nonprofits Ready for them?" – This report focuses on the impact that projected baby boomer retirements will have on the strength, growth, stability, and potential of the nonprofit sector in coming years. (2007) – [VIEW]
"Job Satisfaction in the United States" – People looking for jobs that bring satisfaction and happiness should concentrate on professions that focus primarily on serving other people, according to a new report from the University of Chicago, which found clergy to be the happiest and most satisfied of American workers. The survey found that the most satisfying jobs are largely professions that involve caring for, teaching, and protecting others - and creative pursuits. The survey is the most comprehensive of its kind to explore satisfaction and happiness among American workers. (2007) – [VIEW]
"Purposeful living for the greater good benefits adults over 50, as well as their communities" – Does civic engagement contribute to healthy aging? As active aging professionals work to empower age 50- plus adults to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence, can this healthy social capital benefit our communities? And will such a benefit help dispel myths about retired older adults as a burden to society and concerned about only their needs? A growing number of individuals and organizations say yes. (2006) – [VIEW]
Baby boomers want to retire but stay involved – This editorial discusses Civic Ventures and Experience Corps in Tucson, suggesting that "Our community needs to embrace the energy, expertise and wisdom of retirees and encourage their involvement here." It quotes Ellen Hargis, CEO of the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, Tucson's host to Experience Corps, noting that for Arizona retirees, often "golf isn't enough." The editorial also quotes Civic Ventures CEO Marc Freedman. (2006) – [VIEW]
"Older Adults Engaged as Volunteers" – This report uses data from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study to examine volunteerism among adults age 55 and older.1 Formal volunteering is defined as volunteering for an organization; and informal volunteering, as time spent helping others not in the household. The relationships between demographic and economic characteristics are also explored for these two types of volunteerism. (2006) – [VIEW]
Social Forces Reshaping Retirement – Dramatic social changes and shifting demographics are starting to alter our traditional notion of retirement. In this conversation, two innovative thinkers - Marc Freedman, president of Civic Ventures, and Phyllis Moen, a pioneering researcher in work-life issues - challenge previously held myths and explore new possibilities. They suggest strategies to reshape retirement to offer retirees a greater range of options while improving overall quality of life. (2006) – [VIEW]
Civic Engagement and the Baby Boomer Generation: Researcy, Policy, and Practice Perspectives – Civic Engagement and the Baby Boomer Generation presents the latest research findings and evaluation studies to promote a thorough understanding of the programs, policies, and civic opportunities available to people aged 50 and older. (2006) – [VIEW]
The Harvard School of Public Health - MetLife Foundation Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement – Harvard's program includes public service announcements; a contest with Parade magazine to name the age range, from about 60 to 80, between retirement and old age; and a collaboration with Hollywood to use plotlines that involve boomer volunteerism. (2005) – [VIEW]
Urban Institute - "Older Adults' Engagement Should Be Recognized and Encouraged" – The report presents results from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative survey of adults age 55 and older. (2005) – [VIEW]
Urban Institute - "The Value of Unpaid Activities by Older Americans" – This brief measures the value of unpaid activities by Americans age 55 and older in 2002. The study considers formal volunteer activities (defined as volunteering for an organization), informal volunteering (helping others who do not live in the same household), and caring for family members (parents and in-laws, spouses, and grandchildren). (2005) – [VIEW]
Harvard School of Public Health - "Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers and Civic Engagement" – Examines the implications of aging boomers on society and suggests strategies to expand the contributions of boomers to civic life. (2005) – [VIEW]
"Let's put retired boomers to work on society's ills" – by Paul Arfin (2005) – [VIEW]
Journal of Urban Health - "A Social Model for Health Promotion for an Aging Population: Initial Evidence on the Experience Corps Model" – by Linda P. Fried, Michelle C. Carlson, Marc Freedman, Kevin D. Frick, George Rebok, Teresa Seeman, James Tielsch, Barbara Wasik and Scott Zeger. NOTE: the report must be purchased. (2004) – [VIEW]
Points of Light - "Volunteering: Working for Stronger Communities" – Highlights innovative programs and strategies for engaging baby boomer and older adult volunteers. (2004) – [VIEW]
Bureau of Labor Statistics - "Volunteering in the United States 2004" – An annual report compiled by the US Department of Labor and released each December (since 2002). (2004) – [VIEW]
"Boomer Corps: Activating Seniors for National Service" by Marc Magee – This report examines the details of the coming gray revolution, discusses the challenges to successful aging that have emerged, and presents a blueprint for creating a Boomer Corps that helps ease the strains created as our society ages by translating the civic energy of elder boomers into civic action. (2004) – [VIEW]
Harvard School of Public Health, Interview With Susan Moses. – Moses is deputy director of Harvard's Center for Health Communication. She suggests baby boomers could prove to be a significant source of paid and unpaid labor for nonprofits (2004) – [VIEW]
"Reflections on the Nature of Lifelong Learning and Development Centers in Greater Cleveland" – Because increasing civic engagement is at the heart of the Lifelong Learning & Development concept, centers will enable older Americans to become involved in meaningful ways in their communities. While some older Americans may already feel enthusiastic about solving problems in their communities, others may not have such a defined or articulated passion for service. (2004) – [VIEW]
AARP - "Time and Money: an In-Depth Look at 45+ Volunteers and Donors" – One of the first studies to comprehensively examine volunteering and giving among the 45+ population, with over samples of African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanics. It also provides a new definition of volunteering and giving based on adding behaviors not captured by traditional research questions in this area. (2003) – [VIEW]
Independent Sector - Giving and Volunteering in the United States – A comprehensive study on the philanthropic behavior of Americans, this study provides a detailed look into the attitudes and motivating factors of households that give and individuals who volunteer and explores the links between giving and volunteering. The study gives precise breakdowns on giving and volunteering patterns by different demographics. (2002) – [VIEW]

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