The New Pittsburgh Collaborative Partners with the AARP to Host Social Security Forum
Inter-generational forum focuses on issues surrounding Social Security reform
Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) April 11, 2005 -- The New Pittsburgh Collaborative
(NPC), a non-partisan network of diverse and civically engaged Pittsburgh
organizations, and the AARP co-hosted a packed forum on Social Security reform
this week that was attended by more than 400 young professionals and retirees.
Because many of the 22 NPC member organizations serve a young
professional demographic that may be seriously affected by the outcome of the
proposed changes to Social Security, the NPC felt it was important to foster an
open dialogue where younger generations and older Americans could engage in a
discussion about Social Security reform.
“We are finding that in
Pittsburgh, young professionals who are 30 or more years away from retirement
are discussing an issue that once seemed confined to their parents' or
grandparents' generation," said Sandee Connors-Rowe, NPC Programming
Chairperson.
Heather Sage, a representative of NPC member organization
Ground Zero, said, "I found the event to be both informative and eye-opening. I
am in my early thirties and have not given much thought to the impact Social
Security has had on my family, or how it will one day directly affect me. This
event has made me much more aware of how critical it is that my generation be
involved in this debate as it unfolds."
Jon Delano, political analyst for
KDKA, moderated the forum. The panel of experts included Sylvia Borzutzky,
Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Social and Decision Sciences and Heinz
School at Carnegie Mellon University; Rafael Engel, Ph.D., Associate Professor
and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, School of Social Work, University of
Pittsburgh, and Coordinator of the Gerontology Certificate Program; Fred
Griesbach, Pennsylvania State Director for the AARP; and Douglas Kreps, CFA,
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Fort Pitt Capital Group.
"We
should not be surprised that many younger adults - along with older Americans -
have serious questions as they learn more about the potential consequences of
private accounts," said Fred Griesbach, AARP Pennsylvania State
Director.
The NPC actively seeks to foster dialogue on issues that
directly affect the younger population of Pittsburgh, from Social Security
reform and civic engagement to volunteerism and diversity.
About the New
Pittsburgh Collaborative
The NPC is a non-partisan network
of diverse and civically engaged organizations joined in a commitment to the
future of the Pittsburgh region. These groups share information and pool
resources for events and initiatives to educate their members, advocate for
dialogue on regional issues, influence decision makers and encourage progress in
Pittsburgh. Visit www.newpittsburghcollaborative.org for more
information.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/4/prweb227189.htm