Next Chapter Kansas City is a community collaboration developing meaninful opportunities for persons age 50+ as they explore options for work, service and learning in life's next chapter. Next Chapter offers life planning programs, forums and book discussions, information and classes about encore careers, as well as information about the 21st Century workforce.
National surveys suggest that the “baby-boomer” generation is approaching
traditional retirement years differently than previous generations. Born
between 1946-1964, baby boomers number 78 million nationwide, and
in 2006 the oldest boomers began turning 60. As they transition to the next
phase of their lives, many are showing they want to make a difference in their
communities as evidenced by the choices they make in work and service.
In Wyandotte County, there are over 42,000 baby boomers. In addition, there
are many persons who work, volunteer, and participate in activities in Wyandotte
County. With funding from the Jewish Heritage Foundation of Greater Kansas City
and the George H. Nettleton Foundation, a coalition of nine local organizations
including the Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kansas, created Next Chapter Kansas City. This initiative
is designed to provide resources to persons ages 45 - 70 who are exploring the“next chapter” in their lives. In addition, it will work with various employing entities
in the community to provide opportunities for meaningful public engagement on a
volunteer or paid basis.
The planning phase for the Initiative consisted of 1) community analysis,
2) a review of Next Chapter programs nationally as well as of other
civic engagement models, and 3) the development of program components. For more information, please contact Karen Hostetler, Next Chapter Director
at (913) 281-8908.
Next Chapter Kansas City Collaborative Partners
Shepherd's Center of Kansas City, Kansas - Lead Agency
Civic Leadership Training Council (Leadership 2000)
El Centro, Inc.
Kansas City Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
Landon Center on Aging
Liveable Neighborhoods, Inc.
Workforce Partnership, Inc.
Wyandotte/Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging
Foundation Donors
George H. Nettleton Foundation
Jewish Heritage Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Supportive Organization
United Way of Wyandotte County
Civic Engagement Bibliography
American Society on Aging. (Winter 2006-07). Civic Engagement in Later Life. Generations, Journal of the American Society on Aging. Retrieved from http://www.generationsjournal.org/generations/gen30-4/toc.cfm
Atlantic Philanthropies. (2008). Groundbreaking New Survey Asks American Workers, Ages 44-70, About Longer Working Lives. Retrieved from http://atlanticphilanthropies.org/
Atlantic Philanthropies. (2007). Voices of Experience, Engaging Older Adults for Civic Good, Phase One Report. Lessons for U.S. Community Foundations and their Partners. Retrieved from http://www.cof.org/
Civic Ventures. (2005). Blueprint for the Next Chapter. Retrieved from http://www.civicventures.org/publications/booklets/blueprint.cfm
Conference Board. (2007). Boomers Are Ready for Nonprofits But Are Nonprofits Ready for Them? Retrieved from http://www.conferenceboard.org/publications/describe.cfm?id=1319
Corporation for National and Community Service. Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0307_boomer_report.pdf
National Council on Aging. RespectAbility Initiative, Guiding Principles in 55+ Civic Engagement. Retrieved from http://www.respectability.org/content.cfm?sectionID=5+detail=26
National Council on Aging. RespectAbilityInitiative, Organizational Barriers to Adult 55+ Engagement. Retrieved from http://www.respectability.org/content.cfm?sectionID=5+detail=26
National Council on Aging. (2006). RespectAbility Initiative, RespectAbility in America: Promising Practices in Civic Engagement among Adults 55+. Retrieved from http://www.respectability.org/content.cfm?sectionID=5+detail=26
Rose Community Foundation. (2007). Boomers Leading Change Community Assessment. Scroll down to Aging for Final Report or Executive Summary. Retrieved from http://www.rcfdenver.org/publications_reports.htm