The Serve America Act and the Work of Coming of Age: Delaware

April 21, 2009 is an historic date. On that day President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which he referred to as the "boldest expansion" of service and volunteering since the creation of AmeriCorps. The wide-ranging legislation is intended to stimulate service not only in government-sponsored national service programs, but in the nonprofit and corporate sectors as well. It expands civic engagement opportunities for Americans of all ages with provisions ranging from Summer of Service stipends for young people to Encore Fellowships for people 55+.

From the perspective of Coming of Age Delaware what is especially historic about this legislation is that it acknowledges the existence and great potential of a new stage of life: the Third Chapter or Quarter of life, the years from 50 to 75. John Gomperts, President of Civic Ventures, a think-tank focusing on "boomers, work and social purpose", in reflecting upon the historical significance of the Act wrote, "For the first time, federal legislation recognizes that a new stage of life and work follows the midlife career and that people in this stage need bridges and pathways to get from one stage to the next."

Just what are these "bridges and pathways" that the legislation provides? Here is a brief summary:

Silver Scholarships

The Act provides up to $1,000 higher education scholarships for people 55+ who contribute from 250 to 500 hours of volunteer service. The volunteers can use this money to support their own Third Chapter learning or transfer it to a child, grandchild or foster child.

Encore Fellowships

Up to 10 Encore Fellowships will be awarded to each state to support people 55+ moving into full-time public or nonprofit service. The one-year scholarship will be funded by an $11,000 federal grant and matching funds from the organization where the volunteer will serve.

Expansion of AmeriCorps Opportunities for People 55+

AmeriCorps, a national service program often referred to as the "domestic Peace Corps", has tended to attract mostly college-aged youth. AmeriCorps members receive a stipend and educational award for one or two years of full or part-time service. The Act will now require the program to set aside 10% of its funding for engaging people 55+. The legislation also lifts the 2-year service limitation. People 55+ can now, if they choose, craft a Third Chapter lifestyle around ongoing AmeriCorps service.

Expansion of Eligibility for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs

These two national service programs were created over 30 years ago to support low-income, 60+ adults in intensive service of 15 to 20 hours a week in local nonprofits. The new legislation will expand both the age and income-eligibility for these programs.

The Serve America Act will not take effect until October of 2009 and there are many details that have yet to be worked out. Clearly the stipends and incentives in the Act will support the work of Coming of Age Delaware as we seek to inspire boomers and others 50+ to become civically engaged. But I also have some concerns. For example, is there sufficient management capacity in national service programs and nonprofit organizations to support the increased volunteering that the Act is likely to produce? A study conducted by the Urban Institute in 2004 discovered that only 3 out of 5 charities reported having a paid staff person who worked on volunteer coordination and of those half spent less than 30% of their time on these duties. Furthermore, are there enough meaningful opportunities in place that will attract and retain people 50+? Stipends and other cash incentives are great but ultimately it is the nature of the work that determines how satisfied a volunteer will be and what impact they will have upon the organization or the community problems they address. If the opportunities targeted for people 50+ do not engage their higher skills and allow them to contribute in significant ways and at the highest levels of the organization, can the ultimate intent of the legislation be realized?

The Serve America Act is a huge step forward, but there is still much to do. Why not join us in this important undertaking.