Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc. (CMJTS) announced today that it has received a grant of $792,875 from Senior Service America, Inc. (SSAI). Almost 90 percent of this funding will pay wages and benefits to at least 124 low-income older adults living in Aitkin, Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Sherburne, or Wright Counties to work in temporary, part-time internships through June 2015. These older adults will participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), established by the Older Americans Act more than 40 years ago. Administered by the USDOL, SCSEP is the only federal government program mandated to assist unemployed older adults seeking to rejoin the workforce.
For each of the last eight years, SSAI has awarded an annual grant to CMJTS, one of its five local partner agencies operating SCSEP in Minnesota.While interning as SCSEP participants, the older workers will be assigned to more than 50 local nonprofit and government agencies, including the Aitkin County Historical Society, Cloquet Public Library, Changing Gaits, the Monticello WorkForce Center, and Pine Technical and Community College. The older workers also will receive on-the-job training to enhance their opportunities in the local job market.
“The Senior Community Service Employment Program gives many of our low income older workers a new outlook and purpose for their lives,” said Pennie Lee, CMJTS Senior Services program supervisor.
“Far too many low-income older adults are among the long-term unemployed,” said Tony Sarmiento, SSAI executive director. “This program provides them with skills and renewed hope as they serve their community. Older Minnesotans are fortunate to be served by the dedicated staff at CMJTS.”
About Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services Inc.
Since 1984, CMJTS, a nonprofit employment and training agency, has provided leadership in building a skilled workforce. Through career counseling, job training, and strong business relationships, CMJTS helps entry-level to experienced workers—youth to senior citizens—train for and gain meaningful employment. CMJTS is a partner in the Minnesota Workforce System, providing employment and training services in 11 counties in central Minnesota: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Renville, Sherburne, and Wright.
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 tsarmiento@ssa-i.org.
