There is something new coming to Fayette County. It is Georgia’s first older-adult volunteer leadership program, designed to make a difference for seniors and to those whose lives they touch. Encore! Fayette is a non-profit organization designed to educate and train seniors and foster their participation in areas across the community.

True to its name, Encore! is a senior-specific acronym for Enriching and Nurturing Community by Offering their Resources and Experiences to improve the quality of life through civic participation, said organization founder and steering committee member Tom Hamall.

“The purpose of Encore! Fayette is to get people actively engaged in the community,” said Hamall. “Boating, golfing and bridge get awfully old in a hurry. Sooner or later you say to yourself, is that all there is? The answer is no. I would rather be 70 years young than 45 years old.”

Encore! Fayette applicants will be recruited to participate in a variety of training opportunities, such as government function, churches, senior center, civic and social clubs, corporate human resource departments and the local media.

Hamall said the mentor organization will train, place and follow members. Upcoming sessions will look at past, present and future aspects of the life of Fayette County. They will address a cross section of life in Fayette, including the history of Fayette County and its municipalities, the function and role of local governments, public education, the healthcare system, business and economic development, the judicial system and citizen involvement, community activities, service to families and art and culture.

Steering committee member and Fayette FACTOR Executive Director Becky Smith said Fayette has more than 15,000 residents that are over 65 years of age. That number, she said, is projected to grow to more than 45,000 by 2030. And today’s seniors are different from their parents, said Hamall. Their lifespan is longer and good health generally continues for 20 years after retirement. For many of those seniors, now is the time to get involved in their community, Hamall said.

“We want to bring together a number of like-minded citizens to learn more about the community, gain new skills, explore new interests and become involved,” said Smith.

Hamall said 10-week day-long sessions will be held on Thursdays beginning Sept. 11 through Nov. 13. Registration is required and limited to 40 participants. A $250 tuition will cover the cost of all materials and meals.

The organization’s website is www.encorefayette.org. for more information contact Becky Smith at (404) 291-1602. Hamall and steering committee Linda Pirog will give a power point presentation on the organization at the Fayette Senior Services on July 14 at 1 p.m.

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