“What a difference a generation makes. Yes, there have always been people who lived to be very old, but never before have so many people lived so long—and never before have so many lived so strong.”
The 2010 Moments of Pride theme for Touchmark’s 11 communities is not just about the past. It is very much about the present and the future. Longevity may be the most important contributor to solving many—if not most—of the world’s current problems. The wisdom and life experience of older adults around the world can and does make a difference in solving some of the most perplexing problems, such as poverty, the environment, and even world peace.
ReServe is a fast-growing nonprofit organization of older adults dedicated to fulfilling the mission of using lifetime skills to give back to society. So far, it has enlisted 1,000 older adults in New York who are eager to volunteer their talents and time. Now ReServe is about to go national—and hopefully international in the future. Its goal is to find partners in other cities who also recognize the value of enhanced longevity.
In addition to ReServe, other similar organizations include Civic Ventures, Experience Corps, and many others. All of them match the mission of the Civic Engagement category of the Full Life Wellness & Life Enrichment Program at all Touchmark communities. Resident and team member volunteers are active in all locations where Touchmark has a presence. Partnering with the greater community in cities in the United States and Canada is a tradition that creates moments of pride and also makes a lasting difference to both the volunteers and the surrounding city.
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer at a Touchmark community or the surrounding community, contact a member of the Life Enrichment/Wellness team to find a suitable outlet for your talents, time, and skills. It is true that “if it is going to be, it is up to me” … not someone else.
Bill Warner’s story:
