View Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 11/5/2014
SUBJECT: City of Duluth Workforce Development Awarded $263,552 Grant
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
SUBJECT: City of Duluth Workforce Development Awarded $263,552 Grant
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator
City of Duluth Workforce Development
AWARDED $263,552 GRANT
Older adults to work and receive training in local agencies serving the community
[Duluth, MN] - The City of Duluth Workforce Development has received a grant of $263,552 from Senior Service America, Inc. Almost 90 percent of this funding--originally from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)—will pay wages and benefits to at least 42 low-income older adults living in St. Louis County to work in temporary, part-time jobs through June 30, 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 USDOL, SCSEP is the only federal government program mandated to assist unemployed older adults seeking to rejoin the workforce. The City of Duluth Workforce Development is one of five local partner agencies operating SCSEP in Minnesota.
While employed as SCSEP participants, the older workers will be assigned to almost 20 local nonprofit and government agencies, including the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Duluth Playhouse, Duluth Playhouse, Minnesota Citizens Federation, Life House, and United Way of Greater Duluth. The older workers also will receive on-the-job training to enhance their opportunities in the local job market. Previous participants have pursued second careers or improved their technology skills through this program.
“Far too many low-income older adults are among the long-term unemployed,” says Tony Sarmiento, Senior Service America 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 of City of Duluth Workforce Development.”
# # #
About City of Duluth Workforce Development
City of Duluth Workforce Development is dedicated to building a strong and growing economy by providing direct employment and training services to eligible job seekers, and assisting employers to recruit and train qualified workers. For more information go to www.duluthmn.gov/workforce-development/
City of Duluth Workforce Development is dedicated to building a strong and growing economy by providing direct employment and training services to eligible job seekers, and assisting employers to recruit and train qualified workers. For more information go to www.duluthmn.gov/workforce-development/
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.