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Purpose Prize

Marc Freedman Portrait

The Latest from CoGenerate

Harnessing the Power of Cogeneration on Campus

Harnessing the Power of Cogeneration on Campus

We’re excited to announce the next phase of Campus CoGenerate! With support from MetLife Foundation, Campus Compact and CoGenerate will expand efforts to make campuses centers for cogenerational collaboration and learning, and to bring generations together to secure a...

New! Tools, activities, case studies, guides, research & more!

New! Tools, activities, case studies, guides, research & more!

Looking to create meaningful connections across generations but need some ideas and activities to get you started? We’ve got you covered.  Our new Resources page is packed with practical tools, activities, research, case studies, and expert guidance to help you...

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Ecleamus Ricks

Macon-Bibb County Health Department
Purpose Prize Fellow 2006

When Ecleamus Ricks retired from a career in public service, his intent was to relax and do some farming. But the social challenges surrounding him were too big to ignore.

When Ecleamus Ricks, 62, retired from a career in public service, his intent was to relax and do some farming. But the social challenges surrounding him in Macon, Georgia, were too big to ignore, and so in 1997 he joined the Macon-Bibb County Health Department as an administrator.Ricks used a comprehensive approach to address local poverty and its underlying contributing factors — teen pregnancy, health disparities, violence, and educational limitations. He designed the Resource Mothers and Fathers Outreach Program to provide education, referrals, and follow-up to help youth and adults improve physical, mental, educational, and socioeconomic outcomes for themselves and their families. Since 1997, the program has employed 45 people, all welfare recipients, saving an estimated $450,000 in public assistance. More than 9,000 youth and families have received health and social services, and the community has seen significant decreases in school absenteeism and discipline problems. Ricks also initiated a health department program providing dental care for the low-income and chronically ill and started a free summer camp for youth.