Work & Economic Security: Purposeful Ageing
Power of Purposeful Aging. With people living longer than ever and the world’s older population expanding at an unprecedented rate, the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging convened the Purposeful Aging Summit in Los Angeles in 2016. Thought leaders from public policy, business, academia, philanthropy, and media gathered to discuss reframing perceptions of aging in the 21st century. The participants acknowledged the importance of overcoming deeply ingrained bias, and the need to shed light on the compelling but little-understood benefits of purposeful aging. They recognized the upside of changing the culture of aging for individuals old and young. This conference report summarizes the themes, findings, and vision of the Purposeful Aging Summit.
Purposeful Aging – Readings and Resources. The Milken Institute compiled this valuable library of more than 100 books and resources to go hand in hand with the Power of Purposeful Aging conference report cited earlier. In its preface, Paul H. Irving, Chairman of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, says: “In 1944, it was time to transform the global economy. Now, the moment has arrived for another grand challenge: to re-imagine the future of aging and change the public narrative about the roles and value of older adults.”
The Encore Movement
Encore Talent Works Toolkit – a dynamic online resource that makes the value of encore talent plain. The toolkit helps nonprofit leaders, hiring managers and volunteer managers recognize and harness the power of encore talent, with practical how-to information, expert resources and success stories. Created by Encore.org and Encore Network leaders throughout the U.S., the toolkit represents a collaboration grounded in experience and best practices, offering insights on the unique attributes of encore-stage adults, as well as sections about transferable skills, getting started, and recruiting skilled volunteers and employees. An interactive, searchable map of U.S. encore programs complements the toolkit, connecting organizations with local resources and helping encore-seekers find opportunities. Questions? Comments? Contact Betsy Werley, the Project Leader and Director of Network Expansion.
Encore Boston Network – Informal network of organizations and individuals advancing work with a social impact for people in midlife and beyond. See Elzora’s story.
Transition Navigators – Trained peer mentors who help people who are trying to find meaningful work and community connections in the second half of life.
Purpose and a Paycheck – Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio business and economic programs. He is economics commentator for Minnesota Public Radio and host of its series, Conversations on the Creative Economy. An award-winning journalist, Chris is a columnist for Next Avenue and the Star Tribune. He has written for Bloomberg Businessweek, New York Times, Kiplinger’s, and other publications.
Marc Freedman at the Avenidas Annual Breakfast How John Gardner influenced Encore
Tells of his inspiration from John Gardner
Nora Hannah: Encore Solutions – Social Change at a very Organic Level – Creating societal change by putting your skills to work in socially meaningful ways.
Marc Freedman: Shaping the Future of the Encore Movement – Celebrating 5 purpose prize winners. Creative work at later juncture in life.
Betsy Werley: Encore Women – We want to make ourselves a force in the wider world. The Transition Network. Her story leaving corporate and into non profit.
Marc Freedman: An Encore for Baby Boomers – Marc Freedman, CEO of Civic Ventures teaches us retirement …
Dick Goldberg: Encore Opportunities – An abundance of skills, an abundance of commitment. Skills and resources elders can bring to organizations.
Transition Networks & Tools
Men’s Sheds Association, United Kingdom – Workspaces where men (and women) make and mend things while meeting and sharing their experience, skills, and information.
SHIFT – Peer network dedicated to helping people during midlife (ages 45 – 70+) to navigate work/life transitions.
Les Talents D’Alphonse – Co-founders Thibault Bastin and Barthemly Gas, both young civil engineers have decided to build human bridges and their mission in life is to tap into the vast reserve of senior skills and enrich the lives of both the skilled seniors and younger learners. The association has two categories of members seniors and young people keen to acquire a wide range of skills from handwork and carpentry to computer skills and languages. This initiative earned a prize from the City of Paris.
COVE – Creating Your Own Volunteer Experience – COVE offers a process and a set of tools to help individuals align their interests and skills to the needs of mission-driven organizations and find meaningful and satisfying work opportunities.
Retirement Planning
Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). Since 1998, the U.S. government has awarded WISER a competitive grant (see fact sheets) to manage the National Resource Center on Women and Retirement Planning