Thursday, November 18, 2010
Photo of the Week: November 18, 2010
Boston School Committee Members Mary Tamer and Marchelle Raynor with Mary Gunn and Experience Corps Members at John Marshall Elementary School
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Experience Corps Michel Idiokitas Featured in Newsweek Article “Second Life”
A growing group of organizations is offering new retirees help with figuring out what’s next in life.
Read the article here.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Services for Manny
Services for Manuel Fernandes will be this Saturday from 10am – 12pm at Riley Funeral Home.
171 Humboldt Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02121
(617) 427-5625
There will be a repass following the services in the gathering hall of Catherine Clark Apartments on the 1st floor.
915 Dorchester Ave.
Dorchester, MA 02125
(Close to corner of Columbia Rd and Dot Ave)
Monday, November 15, 2010
A Hill in Dorchester
In Memory of Manny Fernandes, 1944-2010
Dorchester is a neighborhood of hills. When walking from Fields Corner to the Marshall Elementary School in the Bowdoin-Geneva community, one must walk up a long hill in a community that faces too many struggles.
You walked up that hill for 8 years, Manny. I can see you now, pushing through the wind, the rain, the cold, using your cane to feel for ice on the sidewalk. You shrugged off the effort. Even though your health was declining, you liked to walk, and you even joined your team members for the weekly strolls through Franklin Park in the warmer summer months.
You would arrive at the Marshall School, greet the ladies (and perhaps flirt with them for a few minutes) and then begin to read with children, coaching as many as 6 students a day. You tried to be firm, but everyone knew you were a softy at heart, a grandfatherly sort that the children loved and needed. You were proud and you made your students feel proud.
You told me once that all is lost for the children if they cannot read. You were determined that they would read, and you singularly moved the proficiency needle forward for these kids, while letting them know they had a trusted friend in you. For many of the kids, you were the first person to believe in them.
Recently I heard a story about the Maasai people of East Africa. When meeting one another as they travel about, their traditional greeting is not “How are you?”, but rather, “How are the children?” That was always your question.
You were called home suddenly. You were only 66. You don’t have to climb the hill anymore, Manny. Together, we will climb it for you. And we’ll make sure to take good care of the children.
Manny, you did real good. And you did it really well. Thank you.
Rest in Peace.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Photo of the Week: November 12, 2010
Experience Corps Member Dorothy Seaborne Reading with Jordan at the Emerson School
Monday, November 8, 2010
Experience Corps Featured in US News & World Report’s Article “How to Choose the Best Volunteering Option”
October 27, 2010
Though the economy is hurting, volunteering in the United States jumped last year at the fastest rate in six years. At least 63 million gave of their time and energy. “What we’re seeing is the depth of the American spirit and generosity at its best,” says Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that is the nation’s largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. Many organizations are responding to the demand by offering more service options, creating leadership positions for volunteers, and providing virtual service opportunities to appeal to baby boomers, retirees, and young people.
Continue reading the entire article here.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Photo of the Week: November 4, 2010
Darius Butler of the New England Patriots visited the Jordan Boys and Girls Club earlier this week. Pictured with Program Associate M.K. Han and student Arianna Perez.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Helen Garretson’s Encore Career: Deputy Director of Generations Incorporated
For 25 years, Helen Garretson was the Director of Social Work for Children’s Hospital in Boston, overseeing a department of 60 social workers and managing a $2 million budget. She left in 1999 and began her search for a different kind of social work, one that would allow her to have a deeper relationship with community members and families.
Shortly after leaving Children’s Hospital, Helen became the Program Manager at the Bird Street Community Center in Dorchester. At the time, Mary Gunn was the Center’s Executive Director. “I was so impressed by Helen’s thoughtful approach and her eagerness to know the families,” Mary recalls. ”She was only working part-time, but running circles around those of us who were full time!”
Helen joined Generations Incorporated in 2004, uniting once again with Gunn. Helen’s experience, her understanding of the big picture as well as her appreciation of detail, and her capacity for process and planning are just some of the many skills she brings.
She is also a fantastic mentor to the younger professionals as well as the older adults who work and/or serve with the organization.
Katie Klister, Director of Volunteer Management, states how lucky she is to have Helen as a supervisor. “Helen models open communication, honesty, trust, collaboration, and reminds us to have fun while working.” She goes on, ” She has taught me invaluable leadership and team building skills. Helen’s empathy, willingness to listen, and fairness are three things that make her a wonderful mentor. ”
On July 1, 2010, Helen was named Deputy Director, and added an extra day to her work week. Because of the many changes in the schools because of reform efforts in Boston, Helen is leading the effort for our programs to be as well-aligned as possible to school needs. She has helped to bring the organization to a new level, with sharper programming and a shift to more sustainable operations which engages older adults as leaders. “At age 70, when most of us are thinking of slowing down, Helen is taking on more and more responsibility,” says Gunn.
“What a privilege for me that my Encore Career has turned out to be so meaningful and one in which I have learned so much,” says Helen. ”I am greatly inspired by the work and devotion of our volunteers as well as by the incredible staff who make it fun to come to work. “
Monday, November 1, 2010
Boston Globe Article Features Our Very Own Experience Corps Member Bill Wolff
“Giving Back” Seeing contributions improve the lives of others: ‘There’s no better feeling’
When Bill Wolff envisioned his retirement, he never imagined helping inner-city children learn to read. He figured he might take up a new hobby, or maybe a part-time job.
But in 2005, as he began to think about retiring, the former marketing executive heard of an opportunity to get involved in his own neighborhood through Experience Corps — a national group that trains retirees as reading coaches in urban schools. Five years later, Wolff, 65, spends around 30 hours per week at the Blackstone Elementary School in Boston’s South End, tutoring students as well as training and coordinating other volunteers.
Read the entire article here.
