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Since May of 2003, the Points of Light Foundation has been working in partnership with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center to establish the three pillars of the 50+ Volunteering Initiative: Project-based Volunteer Opportunities, Volunteer Management Training Program, and Volunteer Recruitment Corps. Thanks to the leadership of one of their own 50+ volunteers, the Volunteer Center has held focus groups with local nonprofits, created a needs assessment for organizations developing high level volunteer opportunities, and is forming a cadre of 50+ volunteers to lead, manage, and implement these opportunities.
A weight-control research project aimed at identifying best practices for improving the well being of low-income minority populations is one example of the new type of volunteer project being designed in Montgomery County. This opportunity was so appealing to two 50+ adults, in fact, that after they found a scarcity of proven strategies to choose from, they designed their own model weight-control program with the consultation of health-care professionals from around the country.
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