Des Moines Area Leadership Academy Starts Oct. 7

Applications are now being accepted for the second Age-Friendly Greater Des Moines adult leadership program, Evolve: Reigniting Self & Community. This is a series of classes designed for 50+ residents interested in building community leadership skills, exploring their purpose and implementing a community project.

The project is being offered in collaboration with a grant from Polk County in support of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative, which is led by the City of Des Moines, AARP, Aging Resources of Central Iowa and Des Moines University.

“We are thrilled to be able to again offer this leadership opportunity for older, and possibly retired residents,” said Barb McClintock, co-chair of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative social capital committee and coordinator of the leadership academy. “Life’s too short to get stuck thinking about what you could do, and this program will help retirees and older residents get started doing what’s important to them to produce real outcomes that will make our community better.”

Based on the successful “Evolve” program in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., the program gives participants the tools they need to provide leadership for positive community change.  Participants match their interests, talents and skills to needs in their community and learn how to turn their ideas into action.  Classes offer a mix of new ideas, in-depth discussions and reflection.  Along the way, participants connect with other high-energy people who share their interest in making a difference and form an ongoing network of support.

Enrollment is open to interested older adults age 50+ in the Greater Des Moines area.  Download the application here.  Class registration fee is $175 and includes  and includes all course materials. A limited number of scholarships are available through the support of the Polk County Board of Supervisors grant.

Anyone interested in learning more about the series is invited to attend one of our “Evolve Info Sessions” on either Thursday, September 1 from 5:30-6:30 PM or Friday, September 16 from 9:30-10:30 AM at the AARP Iowa state office, 600 E. Court Ave., Des Moines. Call 1-877-926-8300 to register for either date or visit aarp.cvent.com/evolveinfoSep1 or aarp.cvent.com/evolveinfoSep16

The 2016-17 classes begin Oct. 7 and will meet one day a month for eight months, ending in March 2017. Space is limited, and applications are due by Monday, Sept. 19th in advance of the first class on Friday, Oct. 7.

Evolve: Re-igniting Self & Community is a program of the Vital Aging Network, www.vital-aging-network.org  For more information, contact Barb McClintock at 515.255.2108, mcclintockbk@gmail.com or the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Initiative at agefriendlydsm@gmail.com