Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. Awarded $257,739 Grant
Older adults to work and receive training in local agencies serving Cecil and Harford counties
ELKTON, Md., Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. announced that it has received a grant of $257,739 from Senior Service America, Inc. Almost 90 percent of this grant –originally from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) – will pay wages and benefits to at least 44 low-income older adults living in Cecil and Harford Counties. These older adults will participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a major program of the Older Americans Act which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Administered by USDOL, SCSEP is the only federal government program mandated to assist unemployed older adults seeking to rejoin the workforce.
"We are very pleased to continue our support of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. for the third consecutive year," said Tony Sarmiento, Senior Service America Executive Director. Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. has received this annual SCSEP grant since 2013.
"The SCSEP Program has provided Goodwill the opportunity to help seniors in Cecil and Harford Counties with on the job training and employment," said Lisa Rusyniak, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. "We are happy to provide our training and placement services to those who need our help."
While employed as SCSEP participants, the older workers will be assigned to 14 local nonprofit and government agencies, including the Habitat for Humanity, Cecil County Men's Shelter, Cecil County Help Center, Union Hospital and the Harford Community Action Agency. The workers also will receive on-the-job training to enhance their opportunities in the local job market.
"The SCSEP program has been a blessing to our organization and has provided us with many participants though the years," said Charlotte Temple, Director of Union Hospital's Adult Day Services. "Goodwill's SCSEP has enhanced our program by providing us extra helping hands which are greatly needed. Thank you Goodwill, for all the wonderful senior trainees and providing us this opportunity."
"Many low-income older adults want and need paid work," says Mr. Sarmiento. "By serving their community, older workers receive renewed skills as well as renewed hope. Older Marylanders are fortunate to be given the opportunity through SCSEP and the dedicated staff of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc."
If you are a senior citizen (age 55 or over) residing in Harford or Cecil county or are a local government or non-profit agency [501(c)3] who is interested in participating in the program, please contact:
Deborah Gray
Project Coordinator, Goodwill SCSEP
208 S. Bridge Street, Elkton, MD 21921
Phone: (410) 996-0026
[email protected]
About Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake: Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc. provides job training, job placement and other human services for people who are unemployed or face other challenges to employment, including people with significant disabilities. Annually, Goodwill provides services to more than 58,000 people, and places approximately 2,500 individuals into jobs. Revenue generated from the sale of donated goods helps fund these programs. For more information on Goodwill, please visit www.goodwillches.org
About Senior Service America, Inc.
Senior Service America, Inc. (SSAI) is a national nonprofit organization that provides civic engagement and employment opportunities to low-income older adults. As one of 15 national SCSEP grantees of the U.S. Department of Labor, SSAI is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and provides more than $40 million annually to a diverse network of 81 local partner organizations in 16 states. For more information, go to www.seniorserviceamerica.org, call (301) 578-8826, or email [email protected].
Media Contact:
Jonathan Balog
Vice President, Marketing
410-837-1800 ext. 175
[email protected]
SOURCE Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.
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