(September 22, 2011 - Littleton, Colorado) - Arapahoe Community College is hosting Evolve: Reigniting Self and Community, a new national 50+ leadership training program. Evolve helps employed, transitional and retired persons acquire skills to become effective change makers. Participants will learn about opportunities and barriers to leadership in later life. They can also (re)discover their lifework; plan and implement civic leadership projects and build a network for sharing knowledge and resources.
Evolve, an eight-session program, begins October 14 and meets one day per month at ACC, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. Pre-registration is required. The program is co-sponsored by Arapahoe Community College and the Minnesota-based Vital Aging Network. It is made possible through funding by the New York Life Foundation.
More than 19 million Americans will reach traditional retirement age over the next three years. "These are exciting times as community and business leaders retire and seek ways to use their leadership skills to fulfill lifelong dreams," says Kim Larson-Cooney, Executive Director of Community and Workforce Programs at Arapahoe Community College. "The 'brain drain' organizations fear becomes an opportunity for people 50+ to 'be the change' they always meant to be. Evolve helps these leaders do things important to them with results that make their communities better."
Mary Ellen Kennedy, Dick Kavaney and Lul Ahmed all completed Evolve training and were propelled into new work that benefits their communities. Kennedy taught fifth and sixth graders for 31 years before retiring in 1996. This year, she is playing a major role in helping children with incarcerated parents connect with adult mentors and address the fear, confusion, guilt and isolation they often face. Kavaney, a civil engineer and construction attorney for 36 years, is helping to remove obstacles to universal design in the Minnesota State Building Code. Ahmed, a Somali immigrant, is working to empower immigrant women who are the heads of households.
For more information and/or to register for Evolve: Reigniting Self and Community, call Kim Larson-Cooney at 303.797.5723 or visit http://www.arapahoe.edu/community-education.