Older Workers 55+ to work, receive training, and assist local agencies serving the community
On September 1, 2017, the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. announced that it was awarded a grant of $2,100,366 from Senior Service America, Inc. Almost 90 percent of this grant – originally from the U.S. Department of Labor – will provide temporary employment to at least 228 low-income older adults living in Kings, New York, and Queens Counties. These older adults will participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) a major program of the Older Americans Act. SCSEP, the only federal job training program focused exclusively on helping low income seniors, promotes personal dignity and self-sufficiency through work. Its temporary part-time community service jobs provide a hand-up, not a hand-out for older, unemployed low-income Americans. The Senior Community Service Employment Program allows eligible persons to participate for up to only four years, but the average tenure nationally is 18 months.
“We are very pleased to continue our support of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. for the 32nd consecutive year,” said Gary A. Officer, Senior Service America Executive Director. The Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. has received this annual SCSEP grant since 1985. Senior Service America is the second largest U.S. Department of Labor National Grantee of SCSEP.
“This program delivers a triple win for older adults and the whole community,” said Wayne Ho, President & CEO of CPC. First, SCSEP participants are helping more than 90 local community, faith-based, and public agencies carry out their mission, including Asian Community United Society, Central Harlem Senior Center, Modern Chinese School, Chinese Christian Herald Crusades, Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Educational Alliance, Henry Street Settlement Community Consultation Center, Institute for Puerto Rican Elderly Senior Center, Presbyterian Senior Services, The Salvation Army Harlem Temple, Charles B Wang Community Health Center, and New York Theological Education Center.
“Retirement of the rich life and work experiences of the elderly is a precious "treasure". We acknowledge participants' past contribution to the community and wish they can continue to be our social resources,” said Wai Yee Chan, Director of CPC Queens Community Services. Second, older workers are keeping healthy by remaining connected and not isolated in their community. And third, SCSEP is providing hope and the dignity of work to low income 55+ who are not job ready and have the toughest employment challenges. Older New Yorkers are fortunate to be given the opportunity to work and transform their lives through SCSEP.