Last month, I was talking with a ReServist – let’s call her Jane – who had retired from a long and fruitful career in the financial sector. I asked her whether she had an assignment, knowing that several community-based organizations were looking for people who could help them manage their finances. Jane told me that she was about to start teaching English as a Second Language to immigrant youth, this in addition to her weekly visits with grandchildren and kick boxing lessons. How’s that for a career change! It turns out that before she got her MBA, she had majored in Art History and English literature as an undergraduate.

The road map Jane is following isn’t unusual for many ReServists. ReServe was created to help people like her pursue the interests they had to put on hold during their first careers. ReServe is giving them the opportunity to build new resumes that leverage their skills and passions and direct them to work that has real social impact.

Jane’s interest in helping children prepare for adulthood is also not unusual. Many ReServists want to help kids who should go to college but whose parents do not have the life experience or time to help them navigate the college admissions process. That’s one reason why ReServe is hoping to pilot a new initiative called READY (ReServe’s Education, Advancement and Development for Youth) that will train and place ReServists in under-resourced schools to help high-need students make attending college a reality.

What’s more, in response to the growing demand for grant writers and the growing interest of ReServists in using their writing skills, we’re launching the Grant Writing Residency Program that will train retirees to help struggling nonprofits with their development work.

Both initiatives apply ReServe’s winning business model to significant societal problems. Unlike our typical assignments, they will require Reservists to undergo some training and to make a time commitment of 15 hours a week for at least 10 months. And most of the assignments will be located outside of Manhattan.

I’m pretty sure that these ReServists will have a significant impact on the lives of disadvantaged high school youth and on the bottom line of struggling nonprofits. What I don’t know is who of you will choose to have your life changed by taking on these assignments. Think about it and let us know so that when the jobs appear on the Opportunity Board, we’ll have you in mind. To find out more about either of these initiatives, check out the information featured in this newsletter.

Have a great summer.

Mary

Mayor Bloomberg and ReServist Sheila Washington

Photo courtesy of Colin Clark

The 2009 Reservist Recognition Reception in mid-June hosted by ReServe and Mayor Bloomberg welcomed more than 400 guests who were in high spirits at the informal gathering and barbecue on the lawn of Gracie Mansion. The reception was the third annual event that ReServe has held to recognize the work that ReServists are doing, although the first time the event included Mayor Bloomberg.

As guests mingled and enjoyed the food, beverages and the Maddock NYC Trio, sponsored by ReServe, the Mayor invited any and all to join him, one at a time, for a handshake and a souvenir photo.

In addition to more than 300 active ReServists, guests included members of the ReServe Board of Directors, its office staff and representatives of 12 city agencies and 85 private nonprofit organizations that currently have ReServists on board.

Speakers were Mayor Bloomberg; Jack Rosenthal, a ReServe founder and current Chairman of the Board; and Sheila Washington, a ReServist who is serving the AARP Foundation.

“I might qualify as a ReServist myself,” the Mayor said. “I’m a card-carrying member of the AARP, who works in City government, for $1 a year.”

The Mayor spoke about the history of ReServe, its mission to connect baby boomers with civic engagement opportunities at nonprofits and city agencies, and its founders Jack Rosenthal and Herb Sturz.  “We’re incredibly grateful to them for mobilizing the talents of retired New Yorkers,” he said.  “It’s a great deal for New York, so on behalf of all New Yorkers let me say how grateful we are for your service.”

After thanking ReServists for “demonstrating, with [their] service, the sustained contribution that older adults can make to society,” Rosenthal spoke of Dr. Robert N. Butler, prize-winning author, gerontologist and psychiatrist who coined the word ‘ageism’ to reflect discrimination.

Butler, he said, “believes that living longer may be the most important phenomenon of the modern era. There always have been the few who lived to be very old, Rosenthal said, “but never before have so many people lived so long and so strong.  Millions can now look forward after retirement to 20 and more years of decent health, sustainable income, productivity and service.”

And service, he noted, is what ReServe is about. Since the organization was begun four years ago, “We have placed some 850 ReServists in places as varied as the American Museum of Natural History, Sanctuary for Families and the Department of Consumer Affairs.  Our budget is $1.5 million and is producing work valued at three times that.”

Washington was an accomplished leader to emerging businesses in California, where she was educated. When she left gainful employment, she moved back to New York where she found ReServe to be the perfect route for turning ideas into projects in the nonprofit sector. “I salute all the key players-ReServe, the organizations, and most importantly the ReServists,” she said. “It is this collaboration that makes things happen to get ideas done.”

At the Gracie Mansion fete, the rain held off to the end, and the crowd dispersed with a renewed sense of accomplishment and pride. The restored farmhouse overlooking the East River is designated as the mayor’s formal residence. Although Mr. Bloomberg lives in his private residence, he is no stranger to the mansion and he frequently entertains and hosts meetings there. “In fact, you’re not really guests here at all because each of you owns about one-eight millionth of this place,” the Mayor said.  “Of course that means we hope you’ll stick around and help with the dishes later…[but] you do so much for the city year-round, I think we’ll give you the night off.”

In order to meet the needs of ReServe partner organizations seeking skilled grant writers, ReServe is launching the Grant Writing Residency Program in July 2009. Under the leadership of an experienced nonprofit fund development professional, Amy Kantrowitz, and a ReServist with significant editorial experience, Linda Amster, ReServe will recruit, train, and mentor 5-10 ReServists who will provide participating agencies with high quality grant writing services at significantly below market rates ($15 hour). ReServe is seeking nonprofit organizations and writers to become a part of the 10-month pilot program that will begin in September.

Seeking Non-Profits
ReServe is currently seeking 5-10 partner organizations for our pilot group. For organizations seeking to expand their fund development capacity without the costs of experienced development staff or consultants, the program offers a unique, cost-effective opportunity to advance their fundraising goals. ReServe will work with participating organizations to identify appropriate grant opportunities, and to provide ongoing support for ReServists during their participation in the program. Interested organizations should contact Amy Kantrowitz at akantrowitz@reserveinc.org by July 10.

Seeking ReServists
ReServe is also looking for ReServists who have solid professional writing experience preferably with, but not restricted to, print media for the program.  Participants selected for this exciting new venture will receive formal training and extensive mentoring designed to prepare them for encore careers as professional grant-proposal writers. Each ReServist in this residency will commit an average of 15-20 hours a week, working at a nonprofit agency with which he or she has been paired and with a back-up team at ReServe offering individual support and guidance. After the program, the newly-minted grant proposal writer, with solid experience in the field, can continue working in that capacity for ReServe’s partner organizations. This is a rare opportunity to develop a new talent and put it to use for the public good -and oneself.  Interested ReServists should contact Linda Amster at lamster@reserveinc.org for an application.

Are you interested in helping kids get into college to begin their careers?  ReServe is in the early stages of piloting READY (ReServe’s Education Advancement and Development for Youth), an innovative application of its program model that seeks to increase high school graduation and college acceptance rates for disadvantaged youth attending under-staffed secondary schools.  Further, a key element will be to help them stay in college. ReServe would recruit, train and deploy ReServists to serve as part-time college advisors in under-resourced schools, supporting regular school staff in the delivery of multi-tiered services: to develop college awareness in the 8^th or 9^th grades, conduct individual, family and group sessions, host trips to college campuses, and identify potential colleges and scholarship opportunities; to assist in the college and financial aid application process, counsel families on college choices and options, and track correspondence; and help in the college transition.  The pilot could begin this fall.

Seeking ReServists
ReServe is seeking motivated retirees, college graduates, who are willing to work 15 hours a week for at least one school year outside of Manhattan. READY ReServists will need to: be computer savvy, like talking with adolescents and be willing to participate in an intensive training program. Those who complete the training will be will be matched with schools, based on the students’ needs, and mutually agreed upon time schedules.

To indicate you interest, please email Dan Cohen at dcohen@reserveinc.org.

To help you stay better connected to our friends, ReServe is now on Facebook and LinkedIn.  If you are a member of Facebook or LinkedIn, please join the ReServe groups, by searching “ReServe Inc” and then request membership.  By joining the ReServe group, you will have access to information about ReServe, and will be alerted to ReServe events, workshops and special opportunities.

If you are not a member of Facebook or LinkedIn but are interested in a tutorial, please email Jesse Dean at ReServe at jdean@reserveinc.org or call at 212-792-6250.

ReServist Michelle Connelly and Rebecca Kelly Ballet Executive Director Craig Brashear

ReServe hosted 28 nonprofit arts organizations among visual arts, music, dance, theater, opera and folk arts, at a breakfast last month launching its Arts Ventures program in an effort to bolster the nonprofit arts community.

ReServe’s Arts Ventures program seeks to help match the expertise and experience of the many ReServists interested in working in the arts with nonprofit art organizations during a time when so many organizations have seen their donors diminish and their endowments reduced.

The breakfast held June 2, 2009, was located at the Municipal Art Society of New York, a venerable arts nonprofit in its own right, and included executives and representatives from nonprofit Art organizations.

Craig Brashear, executive director and board member from the Rebecca Kelly Ballet, which is a ReServe partner organization, spoke about how ReServe has helped empower his organization. Brashear said having a ReServist is making a significant difference in the work of this ballet company without making a big dent in its budget.

Mary McConnell, a ReServist serving his organization as a marketing and public relations consultant also spoke.  “My experience as a marketing and public relations executive at Proctor & Gamble has translated smoothly into promoting the programs of the Rebecca Kelly Ballet. I have a keen interest in the arts, and it turned out to be a perfect match,” said McConnell.

The purpose of the launch was to introduce representatives of potential partner organizations to the work of ReServe and to help them think through how they might craft appropriate ReServist positions for the kinds of services that would most benefit them.

This initiative comes at a very welcome moment in the world of the arts, when many have had to downsize and have lost staff whose functions are then picked up by the few who remain.

At the least, this causes a burden on those staff members and at the worst, it can negatively impact the effectiveness of an organization, particularly with regard to marketing and outreach, essential elements of the work of arts organizations whose constituents are members of the community.

The morning included an introduction by Mary Bleiberg, ReServe’s executive director, on the importance of the arts for people of all ages, and a power point presentation, highlighting the different ways partner organizations can use ReServists.  The presentation was jointly delivered by Jess Geevarghese, a senior program officer at ReServe, and Sharon Dunn, an arts consultant working with ReServe.

Following the presentations, there was a spirited question and answer session, at which the attendees interacted with the presenters, provided their unique perspective on the needs of their organizations and shared information about the kinds of support they are seeking.  The range of needs was impressive and included IT assistance, development, and even a request for a CEO.

“I had no idea ReServists had such a range of talent,” said Nikki Pruill from the Harlem School of the Arts. “My organization has so many needs that we can’t afford to fill, but with ReServe in mind, we can start discussing some possibilities.” Several of the organizations are in the process of developing opportunities for ReServists within their agencies.

ReServist team at HRA: Stan Frank, SJ Avery, Suzanne Sutin, David Gikow

Health insurance reform is a hot topic in the nation, but for some New Yorkers the ability to research what’s available now is more important than what changes may bring in the future. So the city, with the help of four ReServists, is working on a solution and a citywide campaign to promote the tool, a new Web site to be known as NYC HiLink.

The site, more formally the NYC Health Insurance Link, is a project of OCHIA, short for the Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access which is part of the NYC Human Resources Administration.

Reservists Suzanne Sutin and Stan Frank bring their backgrounds as marketing directors to the marketing team. David Gikow, an attorney with computer programming expertise, is the programming liaison, and S.J. Avery, a former nonprofit executive, is the resource developer. They are supervised by Marjorie Cadogan, executive deputy commissioner of HRA. “HiLink is in the review process now and should be online later in the summer,” Cadogan said.

The link will offer one-stop shopping where individuals and small businesses may compare benefits and prices among policies from private providers doing business in the city. It also will offer information on how to get the most coverage for your money, define important health insurance terms and provide consumer protection information.

The city is to partner with a wide range of organizations to help promote NYC HiLink and distribute advertising and promotional materials.

Front: ReServists DJ Mazer, Patricia Friend, Joan Barnett; Back: DFTA staff Sabrina Ramos, Maeve Rullo, Scott Mason, Marlon Guerrero

The Department for the Aging held a farewell party in honor of five ReServists who successfully completed a six-month project.  The party held June 2, 2009, honored the work of these ReServists and concluded this particular collaboration between ReServe and DFTA, which demonstrated exactly the type of experience that is possible for both ReServists and partner organizations. DFTA, a partner of ReServe since 2007, has been served by more than 50 ReServists among various roles.

ReServists Joan Barnett, Patricia Friend, Vickie Kess, DJ Mazer, and Carolyn Williams were hired to help with a major change being planned for one of DFTA’s important services, home delivered meals.

Beginning in February, the department needed to transition all clients in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan to new meal providers. Knowing that a shift of this proportion could have its share of challenges, Bureau of Senior Centers Assistant Commissioner Scott Mason along with his staff realized that ReServists could be of great use in fielding the many phone calls to 311 that the transition was sure to illicit from clients.

By the time the transition began, staff members Maeve Rullo, Marlon Guerrero and Sabrina Ramos had the ReServists trained and ready to work the phones. As anticipated, calls came in and the team of ReServists responded by arranging for proper meal delivery, troubleshooting when a delivery was missed, and assisting in advocating for seniors who needed help communicating with their new service providers.

At the farewell party where three of the five ReServists were present, the DFTA team commended the patience, empathy and excellent customer service that each of the ReServists demonstrated and showed their gratitude by presenting each of them with a bouquet.

Ramos, who is the director of operations and special projects and worked closely with the team on a daily basis, said, “The ReServists were able to jump right in and not only perform their jobs, but also become part of the office culture right away. Their ability to fit right in was not only beneficial in helping them to more effectively complete tasks, but was also an impressive show of openness and genuine warmth.”

When asked to share their own remarks, Ms. Friend, Ms. Barnett, and Ms. Mazer each expressed the sincere pleasure they experienced being part of the project and working with such a supportive staff.

Friend pointed out that through this experience she learned about the valuable services that DFTA offers and is comforted by the fact that, should the time come, “DFTA will be there for me when I need them.”

L-R: Jess Geevarghese, Judy Capel, Bob Kandel, Richard Schoeller, Nancy Connor, Betty Goldblatt, Roni Elson, Mary Bleiberg, Laurie Hyman at a Health Navigator Training

You’ve read in previous newsletters the exciting benefits our Health Navigator ReServists, in partnership with Continuum Health Partners, provide on behalf of hospital-discharged older adults.  Their work, a vital service that supports our graying population and helps navigate our complex health care system, aims to keep older adults from being unnecessarily readmitted into hospitals.

By any measure the program, which helps to both lower client readmission rates and increase the quality of life, has been a success.  A recent article from Civic Ventures’s publication “Tapping Encore Talent” states, “[It] is one example of an innovative program that builds upon the skills, experience, and commitment of people in encore careers to help solve a costly public problem.”

Accordingly, we are very excited to report our plan to expand the program into other NYC hospitals, as we embark on our 2^nd year.  Judy Capel, a ReServist with extensive experience with the program, both in client advocacy and Health Navigators training, has been recruited for this effort.    Laurie Hyman, Health Navigator Program Coordinator will work with Judy to document the program’s processes and successes in order to take it “on the road” to other health institutions.

Click here to link to the article.

ReServist Rev. Charles Gilmore Jr. represents ReServe among the crowds.

Nearly 20 ReServists answered the call and joined ReServe and Mayor Bloomberg for the highly publicized launch of NYC Service in April.  The initiative launched April 20, 2009, promotes civic engagement in New York City and coincided with President Obama’s national call to action and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed by the President the following day.

The event, was held during National Volunteer Week at the 168th Street Amory in Washington Heights, and was part of the Mayor’s efforts to promote civic engagement and volunteerism.  The high-energy multi-media event was also attended by high-profile personalities and civil servants including Caroline Kennedy, NYC School Chancellor Joel Klein, Silda Wall Spitzer and Congresswoman, Carolyn McCarthy.

The Mayor’s office requested two ReServists to join members of other nonprofit service groups in various event related activities.  Helen Mayfield and Rev. Charles Gilmore, Jr. represented their ReServist colleagues, and also joined the Mayor on the presentation stage.

“What people are doing in their later years is as interesting as or more interesting than their younger years,” said Mayfield.

Mayfield worked at the Department of Social Services in Human Resources Administration for almost 30 years and was a principle administration associate.  Currently Mayfield is serving NYC HRA’s Children’s Corner, supervising children as young as two years old while parents access City services.

Rev. Gilmore, Jr. who has a Masters of Divinity from the Princeton Theological Seminary, recently completed an assignment as a ReServist, Outreach Social Worker for the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative at the Upper Manhattan Mental Health Center.

ReServe was among several City service organizations to help the Mayor launch the initiative.  NYC Service, the Mayor said, “will make New York the easiest city to serve in.”  The Mayor outlined the initiative’s goals including “recruiting an army of volunteers,” with special skills and creating opportunities that address “most urgent needs.”

The Mayor also said that NYC Service will focus on “impact service projects” while helping nonprofit and government agencies find volunteers and to develop a system of “accountability,” to make sure that projects and volunteers are making the greatest impacts.

Built into the initiative is NYC Civic Corps, a collaboration with Corporation for National and Community Service and its AmeriCorps VISTA program, to provide remuneration for volunteers who serve on selected full-time but temporary assignments.

ReServe’s model closely relates to NYC Service, and ReServe was recently awarded three Civic Corps personnel to assist in launching its newest programs.

“Civic engagement is critical to the future of our country and our City, especially in these tough economic times” said ReServe’s Executive Director, Mary S. Bleiberg in a press statement.  “Mayor Bloomberg has taken a wonderful lead in encouraging New Yorkers to make a social impact.”