PRESS RELEASE
Robert Couche Neighborhood Senior Center
RECEIVES $345,640 Grant
Center for Workforce Inclusion awards workforce inclusion grant
for older jobseekers 55+
Jamaica.– Robert Couche Neighborhood Senior Center aka Merrill Park Civic Association announced today that it was awarded a $345,640 workforce inclusion grant from the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Inc. (Center). Almost 90 percent of this grant – originally from the U.S. Department of Labor – will provide on-the-job training to no less than 43 low-income older New Yorkers living in Queens. This workforce inclusion grant will support Robert Couche Neighborhood Senior Center operate its Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
For sixty years, the Center has worked with older, low-income job seekers overlooked by traditional workforce programs. Both directly and through a nation-wide network of local partners, the Center empowers older job seekers to attain in-demand skills, overcome barriers to employment, and secure employment. Workforce inclusion grants, including those grants supporting the operation of SCSEP, are a critical element of the Center’s mission.
In its 56th year, SCSEP is a cornerstone program of the Older Americans Act and the only federal job training program targeted exclusively to low-income, older jobseekers. Job seekers who participate in SCSEP become skilled, reskilled and/or upskilled to meet the local employment needs in their community.
“Older adults will soon be the largest single segment of the American workforce.” said Gary A. Officer, Center for Workforce Inclusion President and CEO. “It is an economic necessity that we ensure our older jobseekers are equipped with the tools required to be successful in the workforce. Therefore, I am very pleased to continue our support of the Robert Couche Neighborhood Senior Center.”
By working in SCSEP positions, SCSEP is providing hope and dignity to low-income jobseekers 55 and older who have the toughest employment challenges. The grant from the Center is essential to our being able to deliver this program in our community,” says Deborah Bowers, Executive Director of Robert Couche.
About Robert Couche Neighborhood Senior Center aka Merrill Park Civic Association
The Robert Couche Older Adult Center also known as Robert Couche Senior Center was founded in 1971, under the sponsorship of the Merrill Park Civic Association, Inc. Board of Directors. It has been strongly committed in providing services for the older adult for the past fifty years in the Community District 12, which encompasses Springfield Gardens, Jamaica, St Albans and Rochdale in 11434. Robert Couche has become an integral part of thousands of older adults who are 60 and over, serving approximately 4,000 annually with a full range of services and programmatic services in our fully handicap accessible building. We offer a wide spectrum of relevant services that foster physical, spiritual, mental and economic well being of the older adult. Our mission is to promote and assist members, render superior services and support, educate and alert the senior citizens of their rights and freedoms as senior individuals and to protect and uphold the benefits they have earned. This mission is conducted on a non-discriminatory basis with regard to race, color, religion, sex, disabilities, family status and national origin. Promoting the “Quality of Life”.
Our center provides a variety of services, we promote Arts and Culture, Educational and Recreational programs, Health Management, Technology, Case Assistance, Congregate Lunch and Transportation services. Through team spirit our older adults are encouraged to participate in; exercise, painting, Zumba, yoga, walking, bingo, bridge, pool, knitting, ceramic classes, healthy heart workshops, diabetes workshops, medication, physical therapy, dental and vision presentations, sex education presentation, blood pressure screening, metro-cards and access-a-ride applications support, SNAP applications, benefits check-up through Access NYC, prescription, Medicare and Medicaid support, nutrition sessions, hot nutritious meal, technology classes, fire prevention, scam and crime prevention, mental health presentations, fire prevention, elder abuse presentations, monthly birthday celebration, evidence based programs and other cultural celebrations, and more. We also provide transportation for the older adult offering door to door service, trips to museums, library and other day trips. We also provide assistance along with various health providers, legal supporters and philanthropic support that support the older adults in the community. These services offer the older adult opportunities socialize with their peers and to seek new friendships, as well as volunteer opportunities, thus deterring isolation.
About the Center for Workforce Inclusion
The Center for Workforce Inclusion is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to employment for older workers in both the public and private sectors. Since 1962, the Center has provided workforce development and support services to nearly half-a-million older workers. Our mission is to deliver workforce readiness programs that empower local jobseekers, attract employers, and transform communities. The Center provides employment opportunities low-income and other older adults aged 50 and older in 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For 56 years, the Center has operated the Senior Community Service Employment Program and currently partners with a diverse network of local organizations in 12 states. For more information, please visit www.centerforworkforceinclusion.org.