America is witnessing the emergence of a new stage of life between adult midlife and old age. This stage spans several decades and is characterized by generally good health, relative financial stability, and an active, engaged lifestyle. Rather than representing a liability for society, it is becoming an unexpected asset – in the form of a deep well of human capital.

The MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures New Face of Work Survey found that aging boomers have a strong desire to launch a new chapter in their working lives that involves significant social contribution. Individuals over 50, especially adults between 50 and 55, showed a high level of interest in making shifts from their intense midlife careers to new pursuits that improve life in their communities.

Community colleges – most of which have excellent workforce programs and services in place and have developed strong relationships with local employers – have an important role to play as the connecting link between boomers seeking encore careers in the social sector and prospective employers.

With support from the MetLife Foundation, Civic Ventures is providing $25,000 grants to 10 community colleges to develop a wide range of innovative initiatives designed to match boomers’ experience, skills and interests to “encore careers” in critical service fields.

The colleges are located in Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.

These “encore colleges” form the core of this Encore College online community.

These colleges are pioneering projects to provide support and training for those over 50 who want to transition to teaching jobs, work in gerontology, become nursing instructors or work in nonprofits after a career in the for-profit sector.

After a year of implementing their initiatives, the colleges will collaborate with Civic Ventures to report publicly on how to prepare boomers for encore careers that benefit society.

To learn more about the Community College Encore Career Project, go to: http://www.civicventures.org/communitycolleges/