Looking for a way to leverage your senior volunteer services? Consider joining the Encore Leadership Corps. ENcorps recently hosted eight national community foundations in Portland in June, showing representatives how ENcorps is tapping the power of older adults to benefit the state of Maine.
Encore Leadership Corps is a free leadership program for volunteers over 50 years old working in the areas of healthy living, healthy environments, and healthy economy. ENCorps is a program of the University of Maine Center on Aging in partnership with the Maine Community Foundation. Senior volunteer services are a critical component of ENcorps ability to help communities.
Volunteers work in their communities and keep track of their hours for ENcorps. ENcorps provides training seminars, newsletters on volunteerism, recognition and sharing of successful volunteer programs and opportunities, and an annual gathering for teaching and connection. ENcorps is a program of the University of Maine Center on Aging, with a mission to capitalize on the abilities and availability of seniors to activly recognize and affect issues in their communities.
Maine is the oldest state in the nation. While baby boomers represent 28 percent of the U.S. population, they represent 32 percent of Mainers. By 2025,over 21% of Mainers will be over the age of 65, compared to 14% today. In a few short years, one out of every five Mainers will be a senior citizen. Maine also has a higher percentage of volunteers; more than 34 percent of Mainers volunteer, compared to 29.3 percent nationally. Many older Mainers donate their senior volunteer services to area churchs, schools, parks and mentorship programs.
Look here for more information on senior volunteers services and ENcorps, or contact Carol Hammond, Marketing Coordinator; 207-838-8672; carol@encoreleaders.org