Director's Message
Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004Director’s Message
October 2004
Civic engagement with GrandPals
After retirement, many people find avenues to stay engaged in the community through volunteering. Some use this opportunity to learn new skills or try things that didn’t fit in their busy lives, while others find ways to apply their expertise in new ways. Everyone has a sense of making a contribution to an individual or group and of being valued for their service. Community non-profit organizations rely on these volunteers to support their missions of service to the community.
PSRC had over 430 volunteers last year, contributing time and experience to help others age 5 to 100 through the GrandPals, HomeFriends, and LINK Programs, as well as serving as instructors, office assistants, and special events volunteers. The GrandPals Program began 8 years ago. It matches retired adults with children in the Princeton Regional Schools. Many GrandPals read with kindergarten students at Littlebrook School to encourage their reading skills. Other GrandPals have worked with children at Community Park School who need individual attention to master basic skills. We have also had an ePals Program at Johnson Park School, where Fourth graders partnered with older adults to master computer skills and share life stories.
Over the course of the year, strong bonds are formed between children and adults who may not see their own relatives very often. Children at Littlebrook tell us how much they have looked forward to getting their own GrandPal, after hearing about the program from older siblings. GrandPals glow with pride over the progress made by the children during the year. A friendly face can make all the difference to a child who is in a new school or new country, or who already feels s/he can’t learn.
This year we are very excited to have the opportunity to have programs at all three schools again (after a reduced year for construction). Littlebrook GrandPals will continue to work with 1 or 2 kindergarteners through the year. Community Park GrandPals will partner with particular teachers for the year or assist on specific projects relating to an individual’s interests or experience, such as poetry, living in a foreign country or a career in rocketry. This creates opportunities for those who are unable to commit to a full school year. Volunteers at Johnson Park will be helping in the new Preschool program. There will be opportunities on a regular weekly basis and for short projects. We also welcome substitute GrandPals.
We need volunteers to make this program a success! You do not need to have experience as a teacher, or with children. Patty DeRuosi, the GrandPals Director, is an educator and she provides oversight and coaching to the volunteers. If you are interested in attending an information session, please contact Patty at . If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities in the area, visit Handsonhelpers.org.
Don’t Get Caught by an e-Thief
A recent Newsweek article notes that nearly 2 million people had their checking accounts raided last year. Most of these people were banking and shopping on-line. Short of discontinuing your on-line activity, there are recommended steps you can take to protect yourself.
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Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |