Just recently and here in San Francisco five social innovators in Encore Careers over 60 years old received $100,000 each in Purpose Prizes. Additionally, five social entrepreneurs each won $50,000 “. . . for using creativity and experience to solve long-standing social problems.” Marc Freedman, the co-founder of The Purpose Prize notes, “It’s reassuring to note that as America ages, we have creativity in greater abundance in greater abundance. Purpose Prize winners show that experience and innovation can go hand in hand, that inventiveness is not the sole province of the young.”
This Purpose Prize program is the nation’s only venture in assuring the continuation of social innovators who are in the second half of life. Over its six years it has provided $17 million in prize money to the 60 year old+ groundbreakers from all over the United States. The five 2009 $100,000 winners include:
- A 68 year old doctor and special education teacher couple who treat victims of terrorism around the world
- A 73 year old engineer who creates “green” bricks out of fly ash, the residue of coal-fired power plants
- A 61 year old telecommunication executive from Rutherford County, N.C. who delivered broadband to his home county and produced an online ordering system that allows local farmers to sell produce directly to Charlotte restaurants
- A 69 year old psychiatrist who recruit mental health professionals to provide counseling to military veterans, active-duty service men and women, and their families
- And last but not least a 66 year old computer executive who generated a nationwide substance abuse recovery program based on Native American beliefs and traditions.
To see the other winners of the Purpose Prize or to learn more about the program please visit encore.org. NewRetirement wants to congratulate this year’s winners for their hard work, determination, creativity, and noble action in making the world a safer, cleaner, more productive, and better place. They should serve as role models to us all. Please provide us with some other 60+ people you know who are seeking to tackle social problems facing their community, country, or world.
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