LOUISVILLE, KY. – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky observes National Employ Older Workers Week (September 22-28, 2024), which recognizes the vital role of older Americans in the workforce as well as the contributions and achievements made by U.S. employees over the age of 55. This year’s theme, “Embracing Experience, Empowering Futures,” acknowledges the value and importance of older workers in the workplace.
To assist older workers, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky administers the Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP), which is designed to link low-income older workers to on-the-job training that can help them move into paid employment. Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is one of only 19 national nonprofit organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor to administer SCSEP.
Through SCSEP, these individuals receive paid training through part-time, service-oriented positions in their communities. The program aims to promote community service while helping participants achieve fiscal self-sufficiency. Over the last year, Goodwill’s SCSEP efforts have helped more than 2,800 older adults in local communities. Meanwhile, older adults in the program have contributed nearly 1.2 million hours of service to nonprofit organizations and other entities.
“Goodwill is dedicated to providing older workers with the assistance they need to obtain current, in-demand job skills and training to secure employment today,” said Sonya Johnson, Senior Program Manager for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. “Since Goodwill’s inception, the revenue generated from the sale of donated items has helped fund job-training programs and community services, including those that help older Americans find meaningful work.”
SCSEP improves the quality of life for individuals like Rhonda, who was divorced and living in subsidized housing with only her SNAP benefits and sporadic income as a substitute teacher. She applied to SCSEP in 2019 and was connected to a Career Coach, Lou Anne Akers. She hadn’t held a full-time job since 2000, but after she enrolled, she began to get on-the-job training at two different host agencies. She also completed computer classes to improve her digital literacy skills.
After completing the program, Rhonda was hired as a full-time employee at an agency in her hometown. She has the steady income she needs to live more comfortably and independently, and she said she has Goodwill and her Career Coach, Lou Anne, to thank.
“I would recommend the Goodwill SCSEP program to anyone who needs training to reenter the job market,” Rhonda said. “It helped me in my time of need and helped me get back on my feet.”
To learn more or apply, visit GoodwillKY.org/SCSEP.
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 100-year-old nonprofit organization that operates in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The organization is committed to using resources from its 67 retail stores to help build pathways out of poverty for individuals who need a hand up in life. In 2023, Goodwill helped place 3,185 Kentuckians into jobs with its 1,330 employer partners and inside its own retail stores. Goodwill uses approximately 90 cents from every dollar generated in its retail stores to operate programs and services that help Kentucky’s hardest-to-serve job seekers build the life they desire.