Purpose Prize Winner Lends Expertise to New York Times and NPR
06/04/2012 - 12:53:42pm
Purpose Prize winner Arlene Blum, whose research and advocacy led to a ban on a toxic fire retardant in children's sleepwear, has recently lent her expertise to two major media outlets.
- by: Aireen Navarro | More >
Having Patience When Considering an Encore
06/04/2012 - 07:30:17am
By Maggie Jackson
In a new world of elongated lives and career fluidity, we need to have patience – with ourselves.
That was perhaps the most poignant and startling point articulated by a panel on “Second Careers, Doing Good” held recently at my Yale college reunion. I put together the event to explore the trepidation and the liberation that we all seem to feel about the gift of a longer life.
Like other boomers, we are eagerly planning or pursuing new careers, which often involve social impact. But reshaping our lives doesn’t occur with push-button speed or ease.
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Purpose Prize Winner Championing Children Named CNN Hero
05/31/2012 - 06:28:41am
The cable news channel CNN recently named Purpose Prize winner Connie Siskowski one of its 2012 CNN Heroes – "everyday people changing the world."
CNN selected Siskowski for her compassionate and innovative work in helping youths care for aging, disabled or ill family members.
- by: Aireen Navarro | More >
Wanjiru Kamau will never forget the shock of arriving in Oregon from Kenya, moving as a 20-year-old student to a foreign land. "Leaving my family and my country, coming to a place where I knew no one, that was the most difficult but also the most exciting thing I've done in my life," says Kamau, now 70. To help other African immigrants going through the same difficult transition, Kamau started the nonprofit African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation. In 2011, she won The Purpose Prize.
Purpose Prize winner Connie Siskowski is helping young people who have to take care of ill, disabled or aging family members. Since 2006, her nonprofit has provided assistance to more than 500 young caregivers in Palm Beach County, Fla. For her innovative and compassionate work, CNN named her a 2012 CNN Hero.
Easing the Financial Sacrifices During the Transition to an Encore
05/24/2012 - 08:02:05am
Meredith McKenzie left the real estate industry in fits and starts as she struggled to switch careers and follow her passion: river conservation.
At 55, she traded her expensive California beach house for a 300-square-foot converted garage, living like a grad student. Maybe an undergrad.
- by: Marc Freedman | More >
Innovation Not Just for the Young
05/22/2012 - 12:45:12pm
Myth: Innovation is the province of the young.
Reality: Millions of Americans 50 and older are starting their own enterprises.
When jobs are hard to find and gray-haired applicants don't feel entirely welcome, many in midlife are drawing from their experience and creativity to become entrepreneurs.
- by: Marc Freedman | More >
My Experience as an Encore Fellow
05/18/2012 - 10:34:14am
By Louisa B. Hellegers
About two years ago, I was leafing through The New York Times when my mother called. The conversation went like this:
“Have you read today’s paper yet?”
“Just reading it now.”
“You have to read the Style section; there’s an article about an organization that has your name on it!”
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For his work spurring entrepreneurship in Detroit, Randal Charlton recently received the prestigious Purpose Prize. Sponsored by Civic Ventures, the prize is awarded to people over 60 who are making extraordinary contributions in their encore careers. Charlton plans to use the award money to finance a new nonprofit called BOOM! The New Economy, which helps people over 50 start companies and shape new careers.
Purpose Prize winner Randal Charlton used his second career to help entrepreneurs in Detroit get their dreams off the ground. He is now inspiring others to turn retirement into a new beginning. Watch his compelling story in this video.
