America's Future Corps: A Big Idea Whose Time Has Come.

 By Erica and Karen

We have a big idea, one that might help with several big problems. Here’s our thinking:

In 2019 there were 52 million people age 65 and older in the United States. Baby Boomers constitute over twenty per cent of the U.S. population, and we can be expected to live for at least another two decades. Ten thousand of us reach retirement age every day. Many of us are ending long careers, yet want to stay connected to the wider world in a purposeful way. We have lots of skills, and we have become experienced problem solvers. We are assets waiting, and willing, to be deployed to help the next generations move forward. And we are inclined to public service. We came of age when “what you can do for your country” sparked our imaginations and our patriotism.

At the same time, close to four million teenagers are graduating from high school every year. Many like the idea of a gap year after graduation, and many would benefit from a maturing year of mandatory service. They would learn that citizenship involves not just rights, but also responsibilities, that service to our country is incredibly fulfilling, and that we older folks actually know a thing to two. 

The big idea? Bring these two groups together to serve the country.

We propose the creation of a federal domestic program--America’s Future Corps--to channel the expertise of our retirees and the energy of our children—together.  An intergenerational body that would call upon the extensive skills of our older citizens, together with the fresh ideas of our younger citizens, in service to our country, invoking our patriotism and our desire for purpose.

There is plenty for us to do. First on our list is education. (There are lots of possible targets—climate, transportation, housing, to name a few.  But education is the key to almost everything else.) America’s school system is not adequately preparing all of our children for the future. With roots in the nineteenth century, or before, it has not kept up with the seismic technological, informational, social, economic and political changes in our world over the last decades.

Our inspiration is the Peace Corps, which was established in 1961 by a very short executive order. A committed team was then tasked to bring its bold vision to life. The Peace Corps became a hugely successful force—for those who participated, for those who benefitted, and for the country. We know we can do it again, this time channeling our younger and older citizens to work together, domestically.

The mechanics? We recognize that the devil is in the details. We’ll leave those to the brilliant people, both older and younger, who are better at systems than we are, but here’s one concept: a federal database into which school districts would enter their wants and needs; younger folks would enter their service preferences; and retirees would enter their skills, experience and location. Matches would be made. Federal incentives would inspire engagement. The Corps would brand its members as part of a vibrant national community, deployed locally, fueled by patriotism.   

Everyone has something to contribute. Younger people have energy, vision, and creativity. Retirees, whether carpenters or lawyers, health care workers or electricians, gardeners or physical therapists, administrators or doctors, computer programmers or janitors, have skills and experience that can be put to good use. 

Everyone benefits. Retirees want to contribute, and they will live happier lives, and require fewer health services, if they stay connected. Younger people will learn amazing things—about specific jobs and about life and about civic virtue. And the school system will be rocketed into the twenty-first century.

Are you in?