Visualization capturing insights exploring the ideation of purpose at a 2022 “purpose jam” hosted by Purpose Commons’ co-founders. Photo/art by Rio Holaday. By Sally Gambrell Bridgford I’ve always believed that great ideas often start when like-minded people come together to build community. It’s in community that collaboration takes root and real progress happens. That’s why I think it’s important for young people to have the same opportunities to connect and grow. What if young people—and those who support them—had a space to ask the questions that matter and turn ideas into action? A space where they’re at the center, informing, shaping and cultivating their sense of purpose. That’s exactly how TeRay Esquibel leads at Purpose Commons. He doesn’t just invite young people into the conversation—he builds with them from the start. For TeRay, living greatly means finding your purpose and using your potential. His work is about making sure young people can do the same. We partnered with TeRay and Purpose Commons to help many of our young people cultivate their sense of purpose to live great lives. What motivates Purpose Commons to help young people cultivate their purpose? Purpose Commons sees and believes in young people and their potential. We see purpose as the fuel for a meaningful life. Many young people already have a clear sense of purpose, but they find themselves in spaces that fail to support or encourage it. They are stuck navigating systems focused only on short-term results rather than long-term growth. This challenge impacts more than just our youth—mentors, educators, and advisors who dedicate their lives to supporting them. These advocates often hear stories of lightbulb moments or when a student discovers what truly drives them. Unfortunately, these advocates also work within structures that measure success by immediate outcomes instead of lasting growth. I’ve personally experienced how powerful purpose can be in my life, my team and my community. I’ve seen people thrive when their daily actions connect to something bigger than the ‘right now. ’ I’ve also seen the consequences when purpose is stifled. Too many people look back and wish they had been encouraged to explore their purpose earlier. That’s why Purpose Commons exists. The science is clear: purpose strengthens mental and physical health, improves academic performance, deepens relationships, and so much more. Purpose isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build right now. It’s not a reward for success; it’s what keeps us going, especially when things get hard. What if we built a world where every young person had the support to explore and cultivate their purpose? What new ideas might come to life? How could our communities change and prosper? How might difficult conversations become easier? At Purpose Commons, we work towards a future where purpose isn’t an afterthought but the foundation. Because that’s what drives us every day! 2. How can the science of purpose directly improve everyday lives? The science of purpose can transform everyday lives in profound ways. While most of us have experienced moments of purpose or instinctively recognize it in others, purpose science allows us to build on our intuition. It explains what purpose is, where it comes from, and how it shapes our lives. Research on purpose helps ask new questions and think differently about cultivating purpose in ourselves and others. Instead of just hoping purpose happens, we can intentionally create conditions for it. Thanks to amazing researchers like Dr. Anthony Burrow and Dr. Pat Hill, who helped launch Purpose Commons, and other leading purpose researchers, we now understand that a strong sense of purpose makes a big difference. It boosts resilience, improves mental and physical health, deepens social connections, and even helps with academic success. However, purpose cultivation is often treated as an afterthought or something ‘nice to have’ in many of our systems. Even though purpose is often overlooked, Purpose Commons wants to change that. Our mission is to demonstrate and explore the value of purpose through research, especially to support those who are already committed to fostering it. Imagine a teacher who wants their curriculum to reflect their students’ passions or a nonprofit leader co-creating a fundraiser directly alongside the young people they support. Purpose science provides them with insights and data to back up what they already know! An investment in purpose isn’t just valuable. It’s life-changing. By making the case for purpose with evidence, purpose becomes something we intentionally foster every day, not something we find by chance. Beyond that, purpose research itself also helps build community. It can cultivate an ecosystem that connects the brilliance and collective wisdom of our young people, those that support them, and a network of purpose researchers. We can create a space dedicated to asking better questions that ensures research is representative of the interests, needs and nuances of everyday realities. 3. Why build a Purpose ecosystem? Right now, there are incredible people and organizations committed to purpose. Researchers study it, educators and mentors help young people discover it, and funders like Gambrell support this important work. What’s missing is a space where all of these efforts come together to spark new ideas, ask new questions, and turn knowledge into action. Today, purpose science mostly stays within academic circles. The wisdom of those working with youth is held within individual communities. And Young people’s experiences haven’t been widely shared or recognized.. That’s why we’re so excited about our partnership with the Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange (PSiX) at Cornell University, led by Dr. Anthony Burrow.. This partnership connects researchers and helps move purpose science forward. Purpose Commons is uniquely able to bridge these different areas, connecting researchers, practitioners, and young people. No single group or field has all the answers. We are all seeing different pieces of the same puzzle. If we bring those diverse perspectives together, we can uncover the right questions. Ones that will shift how we collectively understand, experience, and activate purpose in the future. Building an ecosystem focused on purpose supports more than just individual efforts but also creates a movement that has the power to reshape communities and change lives. 4. What does meaningful youth collaboration actually look like in practice? Meaningful youth collaboration can happen in many ways. At its core, it’s about being authentic, communicating clearly, and building trust. Young people know that working with multiple groups can be complicated, and they don’t expect everything to be perfect. What they do expect is honesty about how and when their voices will be included and clarity about the impact their contributions will have.. Being open about what’s possible, the limitations involved, and the viewpoints of other groups creates a strong foundation for genuine collaboration. Real collaboration with youth needs to be ongoing. It’s not enough to hold just one meeting, send out a single survey, or invite them to speak at an event once. The work moves at the speed of trust, and trust is built through daily follow-through, meeting partners where they are, and owning missteps when they happen. Purpose Commons sees collaboration as a continuous learning process. We adjust, improve, and grow together. Young people want the same respect that professionals expect.. They want their time, knowledge, and ideas to matter. True collaboration means treating young people as important partners who help shape the future—not just as participants but as co-creators. 5. What does it mean to you to Live Greatly? For me, living greatly means being free to follow my purpose and values. It involves constantly learning and growing, approaching life with love, grace, and peace, curiosity, and authenticity. Living greatly isn’t just about personal fulfillment. It’s about creating space for others to do the same. When we pursue our purpose wholeheartedly, we inspire those around us to explore theirs. True greatness isn’t measured only by achievement alone. It’s found in the freedom to be ourselves and the ripple effect of the purpose, courage, and authenticity we share with others.
