How SCSEP Benefits Community

Many nonprofit community organizations are faced with the challenge of "doing more with less" while trying to meet increasing needs in their community with limited staff and financial resources. This is especially true with many of the organizations that partner with the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

AARP SCSEP offers program participants temporary work-training assignments, through an arrangement with a variety of community service organizations (day care centers, hospitals, senior centers, libraries, social service and public works agencies and other community service organizations). These organizations act as host agencies providing a supportive and safe work-training environment and gaining the additional manpower needed to expand key services in their communities.

Over 8,000 nonprofit host agencies around the nation gain the additional help they need. In doing so, they take on a positive, proactive response to the employment needs of older persons at a vulnerable period of their lives by bridging and leveraging community resources. It's a natural extension of their commitment to serving and empowering communities.

These organizations are the recipients of nearly 8 million hours of community service through AARP SCSEP temporary training assignments. On various occasions, they have also hired job seekers from AARP SCSEP whose skills were indispensable.

The AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program helps businesses locate experienced, qualified, and highly motivated workers. It helps low-income older job seekers to prepare and compete for jobs in their communities.

AARP offers a variety of community service programs and activities that positively impact our communities. These programs help people file their tax returns and review driver safety rules and techniques for safer operation of their vehicle on today's roadways. They help frail and disabled persons to manage their finances and others to avail themselves of public benefits for which they qualify. They help mentor youth and initiate a variety of local community improvement activities. They provide assistance to older persons in finding employment and help families and friends to cope with the loss of a loved one.

These community service programs directly benefit over 3.5 million people annually. Through AARP's "Day of Service" activities, countless others also benefit directly and indirectly. As a result, AARP is well positioned to respond to community needs through national and local partnerships.