Erie County senior services department receives grant to assist unemployed adults to rejoin workforce

$780,169 grant from Senior Service America will assist low-income older adults

The Erie County Department of Senior Services was awarded a grant of $780,169 from Senior Service America Inc. Almost 90 percent of this grant, which originated from the U.S. Department of Labor, will pay wages and benefits to at least 126 low-income older adults living in Erie County.

These older adults will participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program, 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.

"The senior services department looks forward to continued partnership with Supportive Services Corp. to provide employment opportunities to older adults," Erie County Commissioner of Senior Services Randy Hoak said. "Some seniors may continue to work out of necessity, but many remain in the workforce because they enjoy contributing to their community, and this program helps make that happen."

Supportive Services Corp. will continue to operate SCSEP as a contractor of Erie County. While employed as SCSEP participants, the older workers are assigned to more than 40 local community, faith-based and public agencies, including the Community Action Organization, Goodwill Industries, Matt Urban Human Services and the Veterans One-stop Center. The older workers receive on-the-job training to enhance their opportunities in the local job market.

Erie County has received this annual SCSEP grant since 1968.

"We are very pleased to continue our support of Erie County and Supportive Services Corp. for the 47th consecutive year," said Tony Sarmiento, Senior Service America executive director. "Many low-income older adults want and need paid work. By serving their community, older workers receive renewed skills as well as renewed hope. Older New Yorkers are fortunate to be given the opportunity through SCSEP and the dedicated staff of Erie County and the Supportive Services Corp."

For more information on the Erie County Department of Senior Services, visit www2.erie.gov/seniorservices/.

For more information on Supportive Services Corp., email [email protected], or call Anita Wolniewicz at 716-881-6350, ext. 11.

For more on Senior Service America, visit www.seniorserviceamerica.org, call 301-578-8826, email [email protected] or tweet to @tsarmiento22.