Goodwill's Senior Employment Training Program Changes Lives in Southern Tier

SCSEP Participant Mark, Program Director Deb Swanson, and SCEP Participant Ramone in the kitchen of the St. Susan Center.

St. Susan Center is celebrating the remarkable success of two participants from Goodwill's Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), operated in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties by Goodwill of Western New York. Mark and Ramone have not only overcome personal and social challenges, but they have also thrived—proving that new opportunities can blossom at any age.

Mark joined SCSEP in November 2023, arriving at St. Susan Center as a shy, quiet senior dealing with the common isolation many older adults face. A dedicated caregiver for his elderly mother, Mark found connection and purpose in St. Susan’s kitchen. With guidance from Center Director Cherie Rowland and Kitchen Manager Jessica Velasquez, Mark quickly found his confidence. Within weeks, he began mentoring younger volunteers, offering wisdom, a strong work ethic, and a welcome dose of humor.

Starting as a kitchen assistant, Mark soon advanced to training as a kitchen manager. His commitment and passion for the work earned him an OSHA food safety certification. In April 2025, after 17 months with SCSEP, he was officially hired as Assistant Kitchen Manager at St. Susan Center.

A note he once posted on the kitchen bulletin board sums up the spirit of the Center: “Everyone who can’t find happiness on the outside comes to St. Susan’s and finds it on the inside.”

Ramone joined SCSEP in July 2023 after relocating his family from Puerto Rico to Jamestown in search of safety and stability. Initially struggling with language barriers and cultural adjustment, Ramone found both community and opportunity through SCSEP and his placement at St. Susan Center. With encouragement from staff and mentors, his English skills flourished, and his bilingual abilities quickly became an asset in the kitchen.

Ramone’s resilience, compassion, and dedication to his work have made a lasting impact not only at St. Susan’s, but throughout the Jamestown community. He exemplifies the mission of SCSEP—empowering seniors to find meaningful work and contribute their talents to the places they call home.

“St. Susan’s has been so fortunate to participate in the Goodwill senior program,” said Cherie Rowland, Center Director. “Our seniors bring valuable life experience that extends far beyond the training we provide. It has been an awesome partnership over the last couple of years. We are proud to now have Mark Miller and Ramone Sanchez as valued employees.”

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered locally by Goodwill of Western New York in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. It provides paid, part-time training opportunities to income-eligible job seekers aged 55 and older.

For more information about SCSEP and how to get involved, visit https://www.goodwillwny.org/seniors.