October 2007 by Los Feliz Ledger

Los Feliz Ledger [ Senior Moments ]

Volunteering By Stephanie Vendig Ledger Columnist With the new Griffith feel good and give you a sense Park Adult Community Center of satisfaction. Giving back to opening soon, and after visiting your community or serving your several senior centers, I realized community or organization to that volunteers are vital for a make life better is perhaps the quality facility. But more than most significant motivation for that, I also saw that for the volvolunteering. Along with a good unteers assisting in this way is dose of altruism, people benefit valuable for their wellbeing. from being with other people, Volunteering, choosing to staying active and feeling a sense help others or organizations of their value in society. without compensation, is an With the largest generaintegral part of our American tion ever to pass through its cultural fabric. According to 40s and 50s now moving into the Corporaits 60s (77 …volunteering overall in tion for Namillion), America is near a 30-year high. tional and 20% of the In 2006, 61.2 million people Community popu l at ion volunteered, investing an Service, volwill be over u n t e e r i n g estimated $152 billion worth 60 within overall in of labor into the social sector. five years. America is These “baby near a 30-year high. In 2006, boomers” will also turn to 61.2 million people volunvolunteerism as our current seteered, investing an estimated nior generation has, but their $152 billion worth of labor motivation and interests may into the social sector. be a bit different. There are many reasons for In 2005, the MetLife Foungiving your time and effort for dation/Civic Ventures “New the benefit of others. Altruism is Face of Work” Survey found often cited as a reason, but rethat boomers have a strong deally, it is not entirely an altruistic sire to launch their working lives act. Volunteering can make you into opportunities that involve

significant social contribution. A majority of individuals 55+ agree that they would prefer volunteer opportunities that make use of their personal or professional skills. Senior centers are often a central place for people to find volunteer opportunities, and the federal government is helping to promote this volunteerism through the Corporation for National and Community Service, an independent federal agency (www. nationalservice.gov) created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with volunteer opportunities. One offered program is the Senior Corps. Conceived during John F. Kennedy’s presidency, Senior Corps currently links more than 500,000 Americans to service opportunities within The Foster Grandparent Program, The Senior Companion Program and the RSVP program. RSVP connects volunteers over 55 with volunteer opportunities matching their skills and availability. The program, in most communities across the nation, is usually connected to a senior facility where there is a system of matching volunteers to needs either in the center or in the

community. RSVP supports individual volunteer efforts by providing insurance (accident and liability), and partial reimbursements for transportation and meal expenses. The Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks operates the program in Los Angeles

and the Griffith Park Adult Community Center will become a “station” for RSVP. This means that you can find an opportunity to volunteer just by coming to the center, whether it is to help out at the center or to find a volunteer experience in the community.

Silver Lake Senior Club Calendar General Meeting: Wed., Oct. 17th. Friendship Auditorium on Riverside Drive, Lunch ($2 donation) with meeting and program, 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Trips Tues., October 23rd, Warner Brothers Studio VIP Tour, $35 (lunch not included), 9 am to 4 pm Thurs., Nov. 15th, Fillmore & Western Railroad in Heritage Valley on a vintage train, $45 (includes lunch) 9 am to 5:30 pm, waiting list only Thurs., Dec. 13th, Trip to Palm Springs, $10 (lunch not included) 9 am to 7 pm, Palm Springs Follies Optional ($45, 1:30-4:30) Call Doris Slater at (323) 667- 1879 for more information on trips. October Classes All classes will take place at the Silver Lake Recreation Center. When Griffith Park Adult Community Center opens, some classes will move to the new site. Mondays: Tai Chi, 9:30-11:30, Gym, free • Life Story Writing, 12:30-3:30, free Tuesday: Strength Training, 1:00 – 3:00, free Wednesdays: Yoga and Stretching, 9:30 – 12:00, free Thursday: Line Dancing, 10:15 – 11:30, $16/4 sessions or $5/session Fridays: Yoga with Susan Quon 9:30 – 11:30, $4/session starting 9/21 Tai Chi with Susan Quon 11:30 – 12:30, $2/session starting 9/21 Craft Workshop, 11:00 – 1:00, free • Painting 1:00 – 3:00, free New! Aerobics to Latin Dance Rhythms, 2:30 – 4:30, free, $12 material fee Widows and Widowers Group, October 12th, 2 pm Call Bob Friedman at (323) 662-9686 or bandbfr@sbcglobal.net for place and more information For Information on the Silver Lake Senior Club, call Stephanie Vendig at (323) 6673043, or e-mail at vendig@sbcglobal.net or call Jeanne Phipps at (323) 664-2681. Programs for Free-Thinking Seniors!   To learn more about our current calendar of classes, concerts and cultural events, visit www.sunsethall.org. For information: Wendy Caputo (323) 962-5277 Ad sponsored by Sunset Hall

‘‘I choose to feel fit.” “My granddaughter used to visit me on her way home from the gym. She would tell me about her workouts and all the fancy equipment. It sounded fun, but I didn’t think it was for me. That was before Belmont Village. Now I exercise three times a week with a licensed physical therapist, on professional equipment designed just for me. Plus, I’m more active now that I have a driver to take me places, lots of social activities, and a chef to do the cooking! And my granddaughter? She wishes she could join my gym!”

‘‘I Choose Belmont Village’’ • Chef-prepared, restaurant-style dining • Free scheduled transportation daily • Fitness and social activities • Licensed nurse on-site around the clock • Medication management • Housekeeping and laundry • Assistance with daily living • Circle of Friends™ memory support • Short-term stays available • Specialized Alzheimer’s care

Burbank (818) 972-2405 Encino (818) 788-8870 Hollywood Hills (323) 874-7711 Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-9977 Belmont resident Bonnie Fahey with Physical Therapist Peggy Allred

Call 866-905-2266 or visit www.belmontvillage.com to order your free guide to Assisted Living October 2007

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