May is Older Americans Month and Goodwill of Western New York celebrates America’s seniors by noting the positive impacts they have on our lives, our families and our workplaces. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is “Communities of Strength.” As we move forward from the past year, we celebrate the strength of our older community members and the resilience they’ve shown through life’s challenges.
Goodwill of Western New York is a proud participant in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a community service and work-based job training program for individuals ages 55 and above. SCSEP is funded by a grant from the US Department of Labor and the Center for Workforce Inclusion. The program provides unemployed low-income older adults with part-time subsidized employment serving the community, improves their well-being and prepares them for unsubsidized employment. SCSEP participants gain work experience in a variety of community service activities at nonprofit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, daycare centers and senior centers. This vital program helps organizations meet their goals while offering a great training framework for older workers.
Two-thirds of the low-income older Americans participating in SCSEP are women, almost half are from a racial or ethnic minority, and almost 65% are age 55-64. Veterans and qualified spouses of veterans are given first priority for enrollment into SCSEP.
As a sub grantee for the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Goodwill of Western New York oversees host agencies and individuals in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties and is actively recruiting participants for the SCSEP program. Contact Denise Wood, Project Director, at [email protected]
Get more information on the Center for Workforce Inclusion and the SCSEP program here.
