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.”

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.”