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.