Jane Angelis and Gov. Pat Quinn

Angelis honored -- Jane Angelis, director of the Intergenerational Initiative at Southern Illinois School of Law’s Center for Health Law and Policy, receives the Governor’s Award for Excellence from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn earlier this month. (Photo provided) Download Photo Here

December 18, 2009

Jane Angelis honored for intergenerational efforts

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Jane Angelis believes it is imperative for older and younger generations to connect with one another.

Angelis, director of the Intergenerational Initiative at the Southern Illinois University School of Law’s Center for Health Law and Policy, received an award earlier this month for her work in promoting intergenerational efforts.

Angelis received the Governor’s Award for Excellence from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn during the annual Governor’s Conference on Aging in Chicago on Dec. 10.

“It is wonderful to be acknowledged, but with that acknowledgement comes a responsibility to continue and expand the work,” Angelis said. “We have so many people who have talents that could help with the myriad problems in Illinois, but we aren't asking them to be involved.”

Angelis is project director for “2010: The Year of the Engaged Older Adult.” The project seeks older adults, 50 and older, to be involved in a variety of community activities, including education. An effort is under way to plan activities in each of the state’s 102 counties during 2010, according to a news release from Quinn’s office.

“We have this fantastic talented group of people who are retiring earlier, living longer, and often, they don’t get connected and involved,” she said. “We need that resource in our schools, on our campuses, and in the workforce.”

Illinois is one of 14 states participating in the National Governor’s Association Civic Engagement Project, which focuses on improving the health and lives of older Americans through increased involvement in service, learning and work.

For more information on “Generations Serving Generation: 2010: The Year of the Engaged Older Adult,” visit the Web site at http://www.law.siu.edu/genservegen/home.html.