WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Thousands of older Americans
know for sure there is no tune limit
on talent, and tliey’re proving it in
a government program designed to
put their experience and skills to
use.
Called the Senior Community
Service Employment Program, it
provides employment, training
and community service for low
income Americans who are 55 and
older. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Forest Service is the
only federal sponsor of this
program, which was created under
Title V of the Older Americans Act.
“The first thing employers look
for on the application of a
prospective employee is ex
perience,” said Leon Anderson,
director of the Forest Service’s
human resource programs.
“There’s certainly no shortage of
experience among the people in
this program.”
Because May is Older
Americans Month, Anderson said,
it is an ideal time for employers to
consider the potential benefits of
hiring older workers.
“In addition to having ex
perience and a willingness to
"PA. AGRICULTURE -
WE'RE GROWING BETTER"
ICE CREAM
Use your own label
Vz gallon & bulk
ELIZABETHTOWN
CREAMERY CO., INC.
Rear 519 S. Market St.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
717-367-1389
USD A ’s Forest Service employs senior workers
work,” Anderson said, "par
ticipants in the program have
proven that older workers are
conscientious and punctual. They
also bring a mature attitude and
stability to work situations.”
Anderson said the program has
three objectives. First, the
program provides employment
and supplemental income for older
persons. Secondly, it provides
opportunities for performing
community service. Thirdly,
participation often results m
permanent Jobs for enrollees m
private industry.
“We are particularly interested
m placing enrollees in permanent
positions outside the Forest Ser
vice,” Anderson said. “Each
outplacement means another
person can enter the program.”
Some of the best examples of the
success of the program are
provided by enrollees, Anderson
said.
Thirty-six years ago, Ann
Robinson was working as a
chemical analyst. She stopped
working to raise her children.
After her children were grown, her
economic problems began.
Leaky Hart Cups?
Do You Have
Leaky Water Cups k
Due To Hard J
Seals, Calcium <
Deposits, Etc? 0
We May Have The Technical Solution
To Your Problem
= "HYDRO-MAG"
• Satisfaction Guaranteed • Testimonials Available
Call Or Write-
HIES!AND SUPPLY CO.
RD 1, Box 96 Marietta, PA 17547
(717) 426-1921
Dealer Inquiries Invited
“My husband works as a
building contractor, but due to a
lack of construction activity, we
began to feel the economic pinch,”
said Robinson. “It was a God-send
to be able to join the Senior
Community Service Employiiunf
Program.”
Robinson now works on the Uinta
National Forest in Utah, where she
maintains National Forest signs.
She also has compiled a booklet
about the Uinta.
“Now that the economy is
starting to recover, my husband’s
business has picked up,” Robinson
said. “I’ll be leaving the program
soon because I’ll no longer be
economically eligible to par
ticipate. That’s good news, but I’ll
miss the work I’ve been doing
here.”
The Pisgah National Forest in
North Carolina has a husband and
wife team working in the program.
Kathleen Samuelson, 56, was
workings as a substitute school
teacher \ before joining the
program. She serves as a recep
tionist at a Forest Service office
while her husband, Robert, serves
m the fire tower at the Sliding Rock
Recreation Area and does general
maintenance work.
“Frankly, I don’t know how
many of the older people in this
area would survive without the
program,” said Mrs. Samuelson.
“There just isn’t any other work
available.”
The Samuelsons say the
program provides more than
economic rewards.
“1 feel good about the work I do
here,” said Mrs. Samuelson. “At
the end of the day, Robert and 1
feel we have made an important
contribution toward serving the
public.”
On the Caribou National Forest
in Idaho, 72-year-old Charles
Stucki works in a warehouse and
repairs equipment. In addition to
providing physical exercise to
maintain his health, Stucki says
the program helps his
psychological well-being.
HIGH PRESSURE
WATER WASHERS
for Hog, Poultry & Yeal
Animal Confinement Operations
Warwick HOt and Cold Water
Washers deliver over 2000 psi
of profitable cleaning power for
your toughest jobs.
Our patented diaphragm p
can’t be damaged by runni
dry!
A/^N/Awarwkx
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR - SALES & SERVICE
FARMERSVILLE EQUIPMENT
RD 4, East Farmersville Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522
Located in the Village of Farmersville, Lancaster County
717-354-4271
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 28,1983—A29
“Frankly, I think the program
keeps me from going crazy,”
Stucki said. “After working for
many years as a school teacher, I
was looking forward to retirement.
But when 1 finally retired, 1
quickly found that I missed having
a meaningful job.”
Stucki has served in the program
three years, and he believes those
years have been some of the most
productive in his life.
Enrollees also work in urban
centers. For instance, Arlene
Alexander, 59, compiles budgetary
data at the Forest Service
headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Of course the money I earn is
important, but I also get a great
sense of satisfaction from my
work,” she said. “1 feel good about
being a productive member of
society.”
There are 3,601 enrollees in the
program under Forest Service
sponsorship.
Available with electric or gaso
line power and a complete line
of special application accessories
INC.