Who doesn’t dream of getting a second chance? Thanks to Civic Ventures new Launch Pad project with Encore.com, five lucky people actually will. They’re choosing five inspirational individuals over the age of 45 who’ve made it their life-goal to change communities for the better. The winners will get $5,000, plus the tools and support from Encore.com to put their ideas into action.
From education and health care to environmental and social issues, Encore.com is proving that there’s a movement of experienced workers changing their professional direction.
The Launch Pad project is still actively accepting applications through Dec. 20. Here’s a taste of three inspiring stories Encore’s received in the past.
Sharon Rohrbach
Sharon Rohrbach is a critical care nurse in St. Louis, Missouri. She’s seen a number of cases of infant mortality that she believes could have easily been prevented. Rohrbach blamed insurance companies for sending new mothers and babies home too soon, before symptoms of critical illnesses can be detected. She later learned that these cases had more to do with issues related to poverty.
Determined to make a difference, Rohrbach founded the Nurses for Newborns Foundation in 1992. Her organization sends experienced nurses to the homes of mothers whose socio-economic or health status put them at a higher-risk for infant morality. The results have been astounding. The program has touched over 1,300 children in Missouri and Tennessee.
Catalino Tapia
Catalino Tapia is a Mexican-American who immigrated to the US 20 years ago. His hard work as a gardener, and determination as a father, helped his son graduate from the UC Berkeley School of Law — Tapia’s proudest and most inspiring moment.
Seeing his son graduate motivated him to start the Bay Area’s Gardeners Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to Latino students that come from reduced means. In the foundation’s first year, Tapio and his team of gardeners contacted their wealthier clients to donate, and raised $250,000 that provided 18 scholarships. Eight years later, the Bay Area’s Gardeners Foundation is stronger and providing more opportunities for students than ever.
Inez Killingsworth
Inez Killingsworth founded the East Side Organizing Project (ESOP), now known as Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People to help families going through foreclosure. She told Enore, “We are trying to help people stay in their homes.” For the past nearly 20 years since she founded ESOP she’s been doing just that.
Do you know someone over the age of 45 who is changing their community? If so, guide them to the Launch Pad contest page so they can receive the help they deserve to make their dream to help change the world a reality.
Image courtesy of Franco Folini, flickr.