As the world evolves, a growing number of older adults are discovering a new chapter in their lives – one where they leverage their wealth of experience to create positive change. The AARP Purpose Prize, a prestigious award honoring individuals 50 and older who are using their skills and expertise to make a difference, shines a light on these remarkable "change makers" and the inspiring stories behind their pivotal work.
Transforming Lives Through Innovative Solutions
Reuniting Families in Foster Care
Jennifer Jacobs, a 53-year-old nuclear engineer and former US Army Reserve officer, found her calling in the foster care system. After reading an article about the challenges of locating children's families, Jacobs realized that her experience in the intelligence community could be applied to help social workers, lawyers, and volunteers reunite foster children with their loved ones. In 2011, she co-founded Connect Our Kids, a technology nonprofit that provides tools to facilitate these critical connections. Today, Jacobs' innovative solutions are being used by over 2,000 foster care professionals across 40 states and Canada, making a profound impact on the lives of vulnerable children and their families.Building Healthcare Infrastructure in Developing Nations
Jim Ansara, another AARP Purpose Prize recipient, found his second act in global healthcare. After retiring and selling his construction company, Ansara was inspired to take action after a charitable trip to Haiti revealed the depth of poverty and the dire need for medical infrastructure. Leveraging his professional expertise, Ansara co-founded Build Health International, a nonprofit dedicated to designing, building, and equipping healthcare facilities in impoverished regions around the world. In the decade since, the organization has completed over 200 medical projects across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa, transforming access to quality healthcare for countless communities.Empowering Midlife Transitions
As the baby boomer generation enters retirement, a growing number of midlife and later-life transition programs are gaining traction across the country. These programs, often based at major universities, provide a structured environment for older adults to explore their next chapter. Participants engage in on-campus and hybrid sessions, delving into their past experiences, values, and strengths to discern their path forward and make a meaningful social impact. Programs like the CU Denver Change Makers initiative are helping retirees and pre-retirees reimagine their futures, tapping into their wealth of knowledge and expertise to create positive change.Retreats for Reinvention
Recognizing the need for a holistic approach to midlife transitions, all-inclusive retreats are emerging as a popular option for older adults seeking to reinvent themselves. These immersive experiences, such as the Crafting Your Encore workshop at the Rising Circle Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, blend wellness activities with guided exploration of purpose, passion, and professional possibilities. Led by experienced facilitators like Kerry Hannon and Marci Alboher, these retreats empower participants to leverage their accumulated skills and life experiences to chart a fulfilling encore career path.The stories of AARP Purpose Prize winners and the growing trend of midlife transition programs underscore a powerful truth: older adults possess a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and drive that can be harnessed to create meaningful change. As these "change makers" redefine the traditional retirement narrative, they are inspiring a new generation to embrace the transformative potential of experience and the boundless opportunities that lie ahead.
