These are case studies for employers. Most recently added items are listed first.
Project: Older Workers Leading Success (OWLS), a program of Cleveland Metroparks
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Innovation: Employing experienced people over 50 to meet essential year-round and seasonal agency needs.
Here's an example of an organization that received a BreakThrough Award in 2007. Applications are open until June 1, 2009, for Encore Opportunity Awards that recognize nonprofit or public sector organizations engaging people over age 50 in encore careers. Click here for details.
Project: Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass, Inc.
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Innovation: Employs people over 50 in paid, part-time ombudsmen jobs.
Project: Mature Worker Connection: A Program of the Pima Council on Aging
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Innovation: Increases employment opportunities for workers ages 50+ and educates employers about the benefits and advantages of a more mature workforce
Project Central Florida Health Alliance
Location: Leesburg, Fla.
Innovation: Offering flexible work options, child care and internships shows experienced hospital staff members that they are valued and inspires them to stay on the job longer.
by Claire Altman and Jess Geevarghese
Project: ReServe Health Navigator Program
Location: New York, N.Y.
Innovation: Helps avoid re-hospitalization of frail patients by assigning older adults to support them
Project: Allied Coordinated Transportation Services, Inc.
Location: Lawrence County, Penn.
Innovation: Older drivers with empathy provide transportation as well as socialization for riders who can no longer drive in a program funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.