Older Workers: The Future Of Pennsylvania

For Immediate Release September 20, 2002
Contact: Ron Williams (570) 822-1158 or
Tony Sarmiento (301) 578-8469

WASHINGTON—The importance of older workers to Pennsylvania communities is being recognized Sept. 22-28 during “Employ the Older Worker Week,” acknowledged in a proclamation by Gov. Mark Schweiker.
Gov. Schweiker’s proclamation points out that older workers are a “viable, active and essential part of our workforce,” and that workers over 50 have a lower turnover rate and lower absenteeism rate. Hiring older workers “makes good economic sense, ” he said.

“Pennsylvania’s population is aging, just like it is all across the country,” said Ron Williams, director of the Senior AIDES Program for the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming counties. “Fortunately, economically disadvantaged seniors have options because of programs like ours.”
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) agreed. “I’m pleased that we in Congress can continue to authorize funding for programs like the one run by Lucerne-Wyoming County Area Agency on Aging,” Specter said. “The economies of our communities in Pennsylvania depend on employment, and older workers are key contributors to making our state work.”

A golden opportunity for golden years is how Nellie Schaub describes her time working with Williams and the Senior AIDES program. “The Agency on Aging is tapping into a great reservoir of productivity and creativity and is doing a remarkable service both to the individual and for the benefit of the community as well,” Schaub wrote in a letter thanking the agency.

“It’s our privilege to work with those Pennsylvania organizations that are helping senior citizens find good jobs that make a difference to their communities,” said Tony Sarmiento, executive director of Senior Service America. “These agencies have done an excellent job finding employers who can provide new skills and even permanent employment for economically disadvantaged seniors.”

Pennsylvania organizations awarded Title V grants by Senior Service America include the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, Consolidated Training and Services, Inc. (Pottsville), the County of Butler/Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, the Greater Erie Community Action Committee, the Lancaster County Office of Aging, the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming Counties (Wilkes-Barre) and the Young Men’s Christian Association of Pittsburgh.

Senior Service America has awarded more than $2.6 million in grants this year in Pennsylvania, part of the $65 million it has awarded nationwide in 27 states and the District of Columbia.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) of Senior Service America is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. SCSEP is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.