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2. Whom We Serve
NCCCR has grown from about 180 participants in 1987-1988 to about 1600 in
2001-2002. Characteristically, participants have been white, college
educated, retired individuals in their late 60s. The majority of them tend
to be newcomers to WNC but about 15% have been in the area for 15 years or
longer.
Here are statistical snapshots of some 2002 program participants:
Of the 499 fall College For Seniors enrollees, 86 were first-timers and of
those 49 were women (57%) and 37 men (43%). Their average age was 64.3.
The new students had been in Asheville an average of 7.5 years; 63%
reported they were retired, and 15% that they were working part-time (the
remainder did not report work status). Enrollment rates in CFS have
remained relatively flat for several years though some classes fill
quickly.
The fall 2002 class of Leadership Asheville Seniors included 35 students,
of whom 20 (57%) were women and 15 (43%) were men. The age range was 49 to
86, with an average age of 68 for the women and 67 for the men. LAS has
had waiting lists for the last three years.
The Smith Barney Intergenerational Computer Mentoring Program, our free
computer literacy opportunity for underserved seniors, included 52
students in the fall of 2002. Over 50% reported annual household incomes
below $15,000, 30% were African American, and the vast majority of the
class were women (85%).
The Creative Retirement Exploration Weekend for 2002 had 145 participants
with an average age of 60 (the average has remained between 58 and 60 for
the 11 years of the program). People came from 28 states. There was one
African-American couple. CREW can accommodate, at most, about 150
participants and has come close or above the number for the past several
years.
Emerging Demographics
The NCCCR serves a number of publics: local folks; out-of-state people who
come for workshops, retreats and conferences; and professionals in the
fields of aging and education through collaboration with state and
national organizations. As national, state and local demographics change,
so too will the make up of the potential pool the Center serves. Our
largest service group is retirees and soon-to-be retirees in WNC and, in
particular, Buncombe and Henderson Counties.
• In 2002, NC had an estimated 540,000 residents aged 65-74. By 2010 that
number is expected to rise to about 600,000. In-migration from other
states will account for a significant portion of this increase.
• By 2020, the state’s population of people aged 65-74 is projected to be
988,000. WNC trends will mirror these increases.
• Buncombe County in 2002 has a 65-74 population of about 16,000, and
Henderson County, about 9,800. By 2010 these counties can expect totals of
20,000 (a 25% increase) and 12,300 (also about 25%), respectively. (The
numbers are projected to be 29,000 and 16,200 by 2020.)
• Older age cohorts, 75 years and above, will also grow commensurately.
Points to Ponder:
How will or can we serve participants who become less mobile or unable to
attend campus-based courses, programs and events?
How much effort should we make to ensure attracting a more diverse
membership?
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