AARP SCSEP Success Stories
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-02-26 09:09:07
AARP SCSEP Success Stories
Dolores | Joyce | Paul | Rowena | Carol | William | Forrest | Melinda
Dolores
Twelve years ago, Dolores sold the family business to take care of her husband whose health had begun to decline. With his death three years ago, Dolores had to cope with her loss and the prospect of having to return to the work force. "I didn't have confidence to look for work, especially because of computers," she said. But, once enrolled in the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program, Dolores was assigned to a nonprofit, community organization where she gained the confidence to go back to school and upgrade her computer skills. Impressed with her work, the nonprofit organization hired Dolores in a part-time permanent position.
Joyce
Despite many personal setbacks, Joyce was determined to provide for herself and her family. For three decades, she worked full time to support her six young children after her first husband left. Joyce worked as a secretary to a university dean and eventually as an unemployment insurance case manager for Automatic Data Processing (ADP). Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, her illness, which is triggered by stress, peaked after the death of her son and caused her to withdraw on disability, in 1988. Other tragic family losses and medical surgeries left Joyce physically and financially drained during the 90s. When she turned age 65, her disability benefits ceased and she could barely afford her modest rent. "Here I was, 65 years old, disabled," she said. "What was I going to do to support myself?" Due to her disability, Joyce hadn't worked in 14 years. Fortunately, a friend told her about the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) and she enrolled in August 2001. She wanted to learn basic computer operation and how to handle multi-line telephones and to get help in finding a job. Once enrolled, Joyce was placed in a temporary, part-time assignment in the media center of a middle school where she gained recent experience, job confidence, and additional income. With the help of AARP SCSEP staff, Joyce moved onto a full-time job at a group home for the developmentally disabled where she prepares their meals and dotes on residents. She's thrilled with the opportunity to earn additional income while at the same time "giving back" to others.
Paul
Despite having a Master's degree in Education and 20+ years of work experience in mental health, Paul couldn't get a job. He had actively pursued job leads, landing among the top candidates but never selected. After a year of searching without success, things looked bleak. Then Paul remembered contacting an AARP SCSEP office the year before. This time, Paul, age 61, enrolled and was assigned three days later as a counselor trainee in an alcohol & drug program offered by the county. Staff quickly accepted Paul and sought his counsel with difficult cases. Paul understood what it meant to be alone, without income, and nearly homeless. As a result, he seemed to care greatly, listened closely, and offered guidance from head and heart. Paul's clients told others about him and people began to drop in to see him. Understanding Paul's value to the program, the county soon offered him a contract. Now, he's well paid and enjoys helping others. He credits the program for "putting a paycheck in my hands when I needed it." He adds, "coupled with the support of Senior Employment staff I am earning a living again. Thank you Senior Employment. I am doing what I love, contributing to the needs of others, and living my life with dignity again."
Rowena
Rowena enrolled in the AARP SCSEP after seeing this work-training program listed in her local telephone book. That was in February 2001. And, Rowena, at age 67, needed help in finding a job despite having considerable work experience in customer service, counseling, sales and data entry. Once enrolled, she was assigned as a Retention Specialist for the El Paso Job Corps Center where she monitored truant student absences. Rowena quickly adjusted to her new assignment and exhibited a positive attitude and a determination to do good work regardless of any obstacles. She wanted to remain with the Center in a permanent position. So, Rowena went the extra mile to be seen as a serious job candidate. After discussing her employment desires and qualifications with the Center Director, she was hired in June 2002 as a Residential Advisor, counseling students in such areas as curriculum, attendance and behavior, and transitions into employment upon graduation. In her new job, Rowena uses her communications skills and doesn't hesitate to impart lessons learned from her personal and professional experience — touching the lives of troubled youth. Since enrolling in AARP SCSEP, Rowena has increased her income, self-esteem and job options. She sought to expand her horizons and to everyone's delight, she's doing just that.
Carole
Carole's story serves as a good example of one's resilience and ability to rebuild a shattered life. In Carole's case, she and her husband experienced a devastating reversal of fortune after sharp downturns in the insurance market. They lost their business, their home (on a street named in their honor), and their privileged lifestyle. After seeing a television ad for AARP SCSEP, Carole enrolled in the program in March 2002. She arrived visibly defeated, embarrassed, and hoping for a job of any kind. At age 55, with a high school diploma, and minimal job experience, Carole held out little hope of finding a job. She didn't seem to realize that employers might consider her considerable social graces and experience in planning social functions for her husband's business valuable assets. Her humility and ability to survive and adjust to her reversal of fortune seemed to speak volumes about her character. As fate would have it, AARP SCSEP had recently learned of a position with the State Department on Aging that seemed perfect for Carole. They needed someone who could quickly and effectively step into the role of coordinating information fairs, conferences and other special events. AARP SCSEP staff agreed to cover her wages for the first three weeks with the understanding that the Agency would hire her at the end of this period if they were pleased with her performance, according to SCSEP's 502(e ) incentive program. At the end of this period, Carole was hired as the Executive Secretary for the Director in charge of older worker programs. She continues to improve her computer skills and to utilize her considerable talents in communications and event coordination. She continues to demonstrate compassion for others understanding firsthand how anyone can fall on hard times and, with a little help, they can rise again.
William
At age 70, William was no stranger to hard work. He had spent 20 years building highways. But, when he enrolled in the AARP Senior SCSEP in October 2000, he was having difficulty finding a job although he was energetic and open to a variety of positions. William found that his age and lack of current job skills had become obstacles to employment. With help from AARP SCSEP staff he hoped to compete in the workforce. William was assigned as a custodian at a local university where his positive attitude and willingness to learn quickly impressed his co-workers and supervisors. He enjoyed his work, was willing to work hard, and knew how to pace himself to get the job done. He was known to accomplish more in four hours than many staff workers did in eight. Over time, William became more aware of how valuable he was to the university and regularly reminded his supervisor of his desire for a permanent position. One day, while assisting him, William showed what he could do. According to his supervisor, "I thought I was fast. I figured that, being younger, I would have to help him." That was clearly not the case. His supervisor thought, "Anybody who can work circles around me deserves a job." Needless to say, the university hired William, in March 2001, and now depends on him. William is up to the challenge. He said, "I appreciate the chance SCSEP has given me. I like my job; they treat me well and I am enjoying wearing these young folks out."
Forrest
When the Bethlehem City Police Department Investigations Unit contacted AARP SCSEP, it offered a work-training assignment for the right applicant - someone who could tolerate coarse language, on occasion. When Forrest enrolled in AARP SCSEP three weeks later, in May 2001, he was offered this assignment. He was a distinguished Army veteran who retired from Bethlehem Steel Corp. in 1982, after 33 years of service. Now, two decades later, at age 79, Forrest wanted to work in an interesting and challenging environment. "I was hesitant at first to contact AARP SCSEP because I assumed that only menial employment positions would be available. However, I found out how wrong my assumptions were," he said. Once Forrest enrolled in the program, he was trained to do data entry, create daily 24-hour crime summaries, sort case dispositions, and manage telephone coverage. The Police Department was so pleased with his work that it hired Forrest as an Investigative Assistant, in February 2002. States Forrest, "It is a privilege to work with these detectives and investigators. It's a challenge and I'm learning… AARP SCSEP staff surprised me with the intense and sincere efforts made to match my employment background with the position." According to his supervisor, "Forrest has been a great asset to the unit… He is doing a great job. He exceeded my expectations."
Melinda
In October 2001, at age 60, Melinda enrolled in AARP SCSEP. She had worked as an agent for an insurance company in the 1980s but had been out of the workforce for more than a decade. During this time, Melinda survived a long battle with cancer and took care of her husband after a massive heart attack left him virtually unable to work. They struggled to live on Melinda's disability payments. She was determined to find a good paying job with health care benefits for herself and her husband. Melinda accepted a host agency assignment and continued to look for a job and to take care of her ailing husband. The program helped Melinda build skills and confidence. It provided additional income and job leads which ultimately led to two job offers. In March 2002, she accepted a position as a production biller with full benefits. "It has been a wonderful experience being part of the SCSEP," Melinda stated. "This program provided me the opportunity not only to work for a wonderful non-profit organization but also a group of truly great and dedicated people. The last five months have given me a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem."
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