Wartburg’s Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning To Host Ignite Your Life Talk Show Simulcast March 12, 2014

As baby boomers across the country contemplate retirement and seek new opportunities to give meaning to their lives, the Ammerman Center for Creative Aging announced today a local event that will offer fresh perspectives and inspired approaches to retirement. The Ignite Your Life Talk Show will be simulcast live to Wartburg in Mount Vernon, NY from Valparaiso University on March 12, 2014 at 2 PM EST.

Wartburg’s award winning Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning initiative will host the Ignite Your Life Talk Show Simulcast on March 12, 2014 at Wartburg’s Rehabilitation and Adult Day Services Center of Excellence in Mount Vernon, NY from 11:30 AM to 3:45 PM. The event will include an introduction to Wartburg’s Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning initiative, lunch, dance & movement workshop and participation in the Ignite Your Life Talk Show simulcast. The event is free. Registration is required. Register online at www.igniteyourlife.info or contact Pastor Carol E. A. Fryer at cfryer@wartburg.org or Ann Frey at afrey@wartburg.org.

The event will be co-anchored by Pastor Carol E. A. Fryer (Wartburg Director of Spiritual Care & Church Relations and Pastor of United Lutheran Church, on the Wartburg campus) and Ann Frey (Wartburg Director of Volunteers and Executive Coordinator of Wartburg Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning initiative).

“Wartburg is pleased to welcome those who are looking for creative ways to be engaged in their retirement years. We are eager to share our new facilities as we enable our community to participate in this “Ignite Your Life” Simulcast event. We hope many of our neighbors will come and join us on March 12!” said Pastor Fryer.

The Ignite Your Life Talk Show will feature host John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum Professor and Chair at Valparaiso University, as well as an outstanding slate of visionary guests: Mark Heckler, president of Valparaiso University; Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former two-term National President of Latvia; Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial; Robert Dubin, MD; Author Amy Hanson; Mary Gleason, Entrepreneur and former president at Judith Leiber Fashion Apparel; and event anchor Richard Bimler, former president of Wheat Ridge Ministries.

With the support of Valparaiso University and Thrivent Financial Services, the event will be simulcast to locations in California, Oregon, Minnesota, New York, Florida, and overseas in Bethlehem. The event will also stream live at www.igniteyourlife.info.

“We’re hoping to inspire people and help them find that special calling that will enrich their lives in their encore years,” said Ausma Mursch, executive director of Ignite Your Life. “The boomers are looking for some direction, and Ignite Your Life is providing it.”

Mursch references a recent Wall Street Journal article (12/9/13) that reported, “More baby boomers — either burned out or trying to plan their future — are taking a career break to reflect, re-energize and restart their engines.” In addition, according to a 2011 AARP survey of boomers ages 46-55, nearly 40% agree that they’re glad not to be working, but need something else to do to fill their time.

Mursch also emphasizes the value of partnerships in order to help achieve the organization’s goals. “Educational institutions, faith communities, corporate institutions and public agencies help us expand our vision and enrich those in their second adulthood,” said Mursch.

“The fearless pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey,” said Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., president of Valparaiso University. “At Valpo, we are committed to fostering educational opportunities where those of every age who seek wisdom are prepared for lives of leadership and service throughout the world. Our partnership with the Ammerman Center for Creative Aging’s Ignite Your Life event is an exciting opportunity to support an emerging national outreach effort to serve, educate, support and engage those who want to age creatively. We look forward to being part of this year’s event.”

“Aging with purpose and passion means discovering new ways to give back to our families, churches, and communities,” said Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial. “This event can help boomers build their capacity for creative engagement and faith-inspired generosity as they continue to follow God’s call in their own lives.”

Ammerman Center

The Ammerman Center, named for New York philanthropist Judith Ammerman, is part of Lutheran Social Services of New York, a highly acclaimed 125-year old social service agency serving more than 50,000 thousand people in New York’s metropolitan area. In partnership with Lutheran Social Services of New York, the Ammerman Center for Creative Aging launched the Ignite Your Life initiative in order to serve and educate people 50 and beyond by celebrating this aging process.

Wartburg

Wartburg is an award-winning provider of comprehensive senior services, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and hospice care. Its 34-acre campus in Mount Vernon, NY serves seniors and their families in southern Westchester and the northern Bronx. Wartburg’s nursing home has been recognized by “U. S. News & World Report” as among the best nursing homes in New York State. Over the past few years, Wartburg has launched an ambitious building expansion program, including the Friedrichs Residence, with 61 independent living apartments, and a rehabilitation and adult day services center, both opened in 2013. Wartburg is a member organization of the National Center for Creative Aging. Learn more about Wartburg, at wartburg.org.

Wartburg’s Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning

Wartburg’s award winning Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning initiative promotes greater emotional health, social engagement, as well as creative stimulation for older adults through a wide range of arts-based programs led by professional teaching artists. The initiative offers programs in a broad variety of artistic disciplines including choral arts, dance & movement, creative writing, painting, quilting, technology, African drumming, ceramics and oral history. These programs offer our seniors opportunities to learn new skills, share lifetime experiences, build self-esteem and remain creatively challenged in later years. Learn more about Wartburg’s Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning at wartburg.org.