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Helping Baby Boomers Set Course for Later Years

“Coming of age” is not just for the young. Like adolescents, many midlife adults go through a period of questioning and recalibrating for the years ahead. Coming of Age NYC is a response to the need of adults in their 50’s for information and support as they transition to the second half of their lives.


The local chapter of a national initiative, Coming of Age was brought to New York City in 2011 by PSS (Presbyterian Senior Services), which continues to lead a partnership of not-for-profits committed to promoting positive aging. In addition to PSS, current partners in Coming of Age NYC are: the Community Service Society/RSVP; DOROT; Encore; Hudson Guild; JASA; National Executive Service Corps NESC; SAGE; ReServe; The Transition Network and United Neighborhood Houses.


Coming of Age offers New Yorkers a variety of workshops, an electronic newsletter, website postings of volunteer and work opportunities, networking opportunities and informational events.


Coming of Age “Explore your Future” workshops, held at senior centers, NORCs, public libraries and other host venues, help people envision the next phase of their lives, whether it be pursuing civic involvement, lifelong learning or encore careers. In a supportive group setting, participants work with trained facilitators to assess their strengths and goals, discover or re-discover their interests and create action plans to realize their potential.


Coming of Age also works to help not-for-profits better tap into the skills, passions and interests of baby boomers. “If you’re going to promote purposeful and positive aging, then you’ve also got to ensure the opportunities to connect and engage are there,” said Rimas Jasin, Executive Director of PSS. “Many organizations could be recruiting and maintaining volunteers more effectively. That is why we also offer not-for-profits a full-day workshop on how to better attract and work with baby boomer volunteers. We call the workshops ‘Capturing the Energy’ to convey the benefits that come with engaging older volunteers.”


The Coming of Age NYC website lists many of the networking socials, public presentations, volunteer opportunities and jobs targeting people 50 and older. Organizations are encouraged to post their own events, volunteer opportunities, jobs, etc. that are of interest to older adults. In addition, not-for-profits can become partners in Coming of Age. Partners receive training for their staff and volunteers on ‘Capturing the Energy’ as well as training on how to facilitate ‘Explore your Future’ workshops for seniors.


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