The baby boom generation is reaching age 60; it's the largest, healthiest, and best educated group in history to move through and beyond their sixth decade. National research shows that tens of millions of people approaching sixty and beyond are seeking ways to make a difference in their communities.

The Foundation for the Mid South is participating to help assess civic engagement by older adults and to study how to best engage them in community building efforts. Additionally, the assessment should help us identify a range of factors that encourage or constrain civic engagement among older adults. Jackson County/Moss Point, MS is the pilot assessment site.

The grant is part of the first phase of The Atlantic Philanthropies' Community Experience Partnership in which 30 U.S. community foundations have received grants (totaling $750,000) to assess and better understand existing opportunities for older adults to become engaged in devising creative solutions for problems in their communities. The Atlantic Philanthropies, a private foundation, supports programs worldwide that bring about lasting change in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

This initial local investment will be followed up by subsequent grants nationwide that will provide millions of dollars of support for the planning and implementation of new programs that facilitate greater civic engagement among older adults.

Click >>>here for a printable version of the FMS Community Experience Partnership fact sheet.

For more information contact:
>>>Lynn McGee, senior program officer
Foundation for the Mid South
134 East Amite Street
Jackson, MS 39201
PH 601.863.0491
FX 601.355.6499

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