Older adults make valuable employees

By Ardis Wexler
 
STEP, the St. Louis Park Emergency Program, offers crisis support and a food shelf to help St. Louis Park residents in need. All this good work was done by the staff of social workers and volunteers – until Claudia came to STEP and began her job as a support to staff.
 
Last June, Claudia joined STEP through the JVS Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). One of the local administrators of SCSEP is JVS, the Vocational Services Division of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis.

SCSEP places workers 55 and older, living on a limited income, at nonprofit and community service organizations where they learn job skills. The program gives people who think they have run out of job opportunities a fresh start. SCSEP also pays the intern’s wage.

Jackie Olafson, Director of STEP, was immediately impressed with Claudia’s willingness to jump in and take initiative.

“Claudia quickly became familiar with the routine and the organization,” Jackie says. “I remember one day, a young mother came in to use our food shelf services, and she asked about winter coats. Claudia was able to immediately zero in on the resources that were available for the woman’s young child.”
 
Claudia developed a strong rapport with both staff and clients. “I think Claudia can relate to people so well,” says Jackie, “because she has her own story.”
 
It became apparent to Claudia and the staff at STEP that she could fill a crucial, permanent role.

Working with JVS, Claudia looked at opportunities to improve her office skills. After taking a computer class, she took the initiative and proposed becoming a permanent STEP employee. STEP staff realized what an asset Claudia was and brought the idea to the Board of Directors. Many Board members already knew Claudia because they volunteer at STEP.
 
At the end of last June, Claudia joined STEP part-time. “This last year has been a terrific experience,” Claudia says. “Through SCSEP, I had a great training opportunity, and now I’m putting those skills to work for my employer.”
 
Although Semion’s journey began 5,000 miles from Claudia, both older adults ended up working in St. Louis Park and both worked through SCSEP.

JVS played a key role in connecting Semion with the Sholom Community Alliance. Semion, who was born in Russia and lived in Israel, came to the United States having worked as a kosher butcher, but with limited English proficiency. He looked to JVS for help finding a job.

JVS enrolled Semion as a SCSEP program participant and he was placed in a job about three miles from his home. Because he did not have transportation he walked to work, even through the blustery Minnesota winter.
 
As SCSEP Coordinator, I spoke to Leroy Byzewski, the Dining Service Coordinator at Knollwood Place, and together we found a perfect position for Semion. Because he lives on the campus, the commute now is just a 5-minute walk. And, because Byzewski’s staff is more than 60 percent Russian, Semion fit in immediately.
 
Knollwood Place utilized Semion’s skills right away. He began working just before Passover as a SCSEP intern and helped with the challenging Passover cleaning rituals for the holiday.

Like other SCSEP employees who have worked for Byzewski, Semion is a hard worker who is always willing to take on new challenges.
 
He is currently working on his English skills. “As soon as those improve, Semion will likely find a permanent position on the staff,” Byzewski says.

If you live in Hennepin County, you may be qualified to become a SCSEP program participant. Contact Ardis Wexler at 952-417-2117 or e-mail awexler@jvsmn.org.

If you are a nonprofit organization that would benefit from having a SCSEP program participant or if you are an employer that would consider hiring a dependable, trained individual over 55, contact Janet Flam, JVS Community Employment Representative at 952-417-2112 or e-mail jflam@jvsmn.org.

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Ardis Wexler is JVS Career Development Services Program Coordinator.