September 2007 Vol. 26. No. 9

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

New Alzheimer’s Center
Did California speak?
Senior Fraud Alert
Driver Safety fall schedule
Think About It, Show up, make a difference
Unsung heroes: Senior employees appreciated
Ferndale: Bocce court is shaping up

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Unsung heroes
Senior employees appreciated
by Andrea Kovar

Sometimes employers avoid older adults looking for a job, worried that a senior won’t be able to learn new skills or get along with younger employees. Not so in our community. Every week low-income seniors are enrolled and assigned training positions at nonprofit host agencies through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

In a recent staff meeting at one of the host agencies, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, Cheri Beechel, Nutrition/Activities program manager, described her program’s success participating in training placements. Seniors bring “wisdom, a wealth of experience, reliability and a strong work ethic,” contributing to her team’s success. Along with well-received on-the-job maturity, these unsung heroes bring much joy to everyone at HSRC.

HSRC currently serves as a host agency for several familiar faces — Les Stanley, Patricia McCann, and Mim Taylor. The three were placed through ExperienceWorks, the SCSEP agency serving Humboldt County. These training positions often provide rewards greater than the paycheck.

After moving from one training site to another, Les told us, “I enjoyed my time working at Silvercrest. Getting to know the tenants there was a great experience. I know getting to know the people at the Senior Resource Center will be a great pick-up for me each day and give me something to look forward to.” A kind and gentle man, Les is a dedicated senior advocate.

Excited about her position, Mim said, “At 69, I love to be in the working world making connections with the community. So many stories for my memory album — and this sets an example for my grandchildren that learning and working is a part of what’s ahead for them. And, hey, it’s nice to be paid.” She said she “talks up my Experience Works training” wherever she goes.

Patricia finds daily satisfaction in her full schedule of assistance and learning through HSRC staff training which has included personal care, communications, safety and leadership classes, and included the opportunity to learn how to assist seniors prepare their tax rebates. Excited, she said, “I really loved the startup phase of the Animeals program with Carole Beaton,” which provides seniors with free pet food. Pat’s much appreciated efforts allow other employees the time to do their work to keep the active senior center going strong.

Subsidized through government grants, foundations, and individual donations, Experience Works has literally put Pat’s, Mim’s and Les’ experience to work accomplishing three goals: providing meaningful work-related training for low-income seniors, assistance to government and nonprofit agencies via these seniors and, most important, helping seniors find unsubsidized permanent employment that they enjoy.

Participants are paid minimum wage while training 20 hours a week at one of the many Humboldt County host agencies. Contact me at the Eureka Job Market Building, 445-6271, for more information.

Andrea Kovar is director of ExperienceWorks in Eureka.