You live. You learn. You give back.
That’s the heartbeat of the AARP Purpose Prize® and the reason we set out to tell the story of Jon Eldan, a lawyer turned advocate who saw a gap in justice—and stepped in to fill it.
Jon founded After Innocence to support people released after wrongful imprisonment—those who had been failed by the system and then forgotten by it. What began with one phone call to help a single exoneree has grown into a national lifeline, connecting hundreds of exonerees to legal, medical, and financial services they desperately need.
The Purpose Prize honors changemakers like Jon, people over 50 who use the wisdom they’ve earned to change the world around them. Our objective was to do more than spotlight his work. We wanted to illuminate the quiet heroism of someone who asks one simple, powerful question: “What is your biggest need?”
This story proves what we know to be true: Purpose doesn’t fade with age—it deepens. And when that purpose is honored and amplified, it doesn’t just restore lives. It restores dignity, hope, and belief in what’s possible.
Jon Eldan doesn’t seek recognition. He seeks justice. That made our job harder—and more meaningful.
Because Jon’s organization is fully remote and his clients are spread across the country, we couldn’t follow him into the field. But we could still show the depth of his care. So we filmed a sit-down interview with Jon and captured Zoom calls with several of his clients—moments of connection that revealed the heart of his mission.
We watched Jon listen intently, offer guidance, and check in with a simple but powerful question: “Are you okay?” These virtual interactions were windows into the trust he’s built and the lives he’s helped rebuild. We saw the impact of his presence—steady, compassionate, and deeply personal.
Our strategy was simple: follow the care.
We filmed Jon in conversation with exonerees who shared their stories, their struggles, and their gratitude. We captured the emotional weight of his work, the resilience of those he serves, and the quiet power of a man who turned empathy into infrastructure.
Getting Jon to talk about himself was the hard part. He’s not in it for accolades. He’s a connector. But his clients had no trouble telling us what he means to them.
Willie Earl Green: “Jon is the only one who calls just to say, ‘Hey, you okay?’ He drove me to the hospital. Picked me up at the train station. He’s the reason I’m still standing.”
Another client shared: “After I was released, I could barely walk. Jon helped me get surgery. Without him, I wouldn’t have my life back.”
And Jon? He told us the truth. “The law has something to say about what happens when we make mistakes. In this area, we fell dramatically short. There’s an opportunity to make progress.”
The AARP Purpose Prize didn’t just hand Jon a check. It gave him reach. A platform. A push. The $50,000 prize helped After Innocence expand its services, deepen its impact, and amplify the voices of those most often silenced.
This video was more than content. It was a call to action. It lives on social, in press kits, in advocacy campaigns, and in the hearts of those who’ve been told they don’t matter. It’s a spark for conversations about justice, aging, and what’s possible when you refuse to look away.
After Innocence isn’t just about legal aid. It’s about restoring humanity. And Jon? He’s the kind of leader AARP was built to celebrate. He doesn’t just fight for purpose, he lives it.
With AARP’s backing, Jon Eldan received $50,000 to help After Innocence expand its reach, deepen its services, and continue supporting exonerees across the country. Today, the organization has helped over 800 people in 46 states—each one a story of resilience, recovery, and renewal.
The video became a tool for change. It rolled out across AARP.org, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and internal platforms. It traveled to donor meetings, legal conferences, and advocacy events. It helped secure new funders. New allies. New believers.
And maybe most important of all—it helped Jon reflect. On the lives he’s touched. On the system he’s challenging. On the future that now feels more possible because AARP said: You matter. Your work matters. And we’re going to make sure the world knows it.
This wasn’t just a win for Jon. It was a win for every person over 50 who’s been told their best years are behind them. AARP flipped that script. This story says otherwise.
Because purpose doesn’t end at 50. With the right support, it becomes unstoppable.
