You probably know people who retired then spent their lives working on special projects.
Some people take up art, some do free consulting, others change their world.
The Purpose Prize honors those in the latter category, people who at age 50 or older begin a progressive social project that makes a difference.
More than 1,000 people are nominated annually for the prize, which offers cash awards. From this number, a few dozen become Purpose Prize fellows. The key is discovering an innovative approach to an important social problem, according to encore.org.
Among recent honorees:
– Belle Michelson, a former science teacher who became an Episcopal priest and founded Dancing with the Spirit. The program connects children and elders through music.
– Samuel Lupin, a doctor, started Housecalls for the Homebound. The organization has brought medical care to more than 4,000 patients in the New York City area.
-Laurie Ahern, a former journalist, founded Disability Rights to fight the practice of putting children with disabilities in institutions.
