A Call To Serve

Rising unemployment,  increased homelessness—the economic crisis hits hospitals, soup kitchens, and other nonprofits just as the need for their services grows.

“Inside E Street” asks White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes and U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) about the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.  AARP’s Tom Nelson talks about the new call to serve.

Why National Service?

Sheilah asks Melody Barnes, the White House domestic policy adviser, why national service is an important part of President Obama’s agenda.

Service Knows No Party

We take a look at the bipartisan support for expanded national service, and Rep. McKeon joins us live to discuss how the legislation will help Americans across the country.

Expanded National Service

Alan Solomont joins Sheilah live to tell us how the national-service legislation expands AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, and what its new policies will mean for nonprofits in these tough times.

A New Call to Serve

AARP’s Chief Operating Officer, Tom Nelson, joins Sheilah to describe the changing nature of service. He talks about what AARP is doing to renew John F. Kennedy’s famous call to serve.

Resources

• AARP’s Create The Good offers a variety of ways you can make a difference in your community—whether you have five minutes or five hours.

• Chaired by our guest, Alan Solomont, the Corporation for National & Community Service manages five major agencies: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, and Learn and Serve America. 

• Conceived during John F. Kennedy's presidency, Senior Corps currently links more than 500,000 age-55+ Americans to service opportunities.

• Search for an R.S.V.P. (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) and get involved today!

The Host

Through most of her distinguished reporting career, Sheilah Kast has focused on the economy and workplace and how they affect people's lives. Well known to viewers of public television, ABC News, and CNN, she has covered the White House and Congress.

Kast also reported on the Washington aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Her stories included an investigation of anthrax in the mails and the struggles of bereaved Pentagon families to secure benefits.

At The Washington Star, in her first reporting job, Kast covered financial regulation, taxes, and energy. Her expertise in these important issues eventually led her to start a national public-television show, "This Week in Business," which she hosted in association with Business Week magazine.

Ms. Kast is a skilled interviewer. She has often hosted NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday and has her own current-affairs interview show on public radio in Maryland.

Contact Us

Inside E Street - AARP
Techworld Station
P.O. Box 50239
Washington, D.C. 20091-9998
E-mail: estreet@aarp.org