Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the largest private provider of social services in Pennsylvania, received a $672,500 grant to participate in the national Senior Community Service Employment Program. The National Council on Aging, which is a non-profit association of organizations and individuals committed to advancing the rights of older Americans, awarded the grant (for more information about the National Council on Aging visit www.ncoa.org). This grant, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, allows CSS to strengthen its ongoing commitment to serve seniors throughout the Archdiocese.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program provides and promotes useful work experience opportunities with subsidized salaries for economically disadvantaged seniors aged 55 or older. There are 60 training sites in Philadelphia including senior centers, day care centers, hospitals and government offices where the participants learn marketable skills. The program then assists participants transition into jobs that are not subsidized in private sector businesses as well as public organizations.

Catholic Social Services will develop individual employment plans for participants and then place them in training sites. The grant allows for 106 participants. CSS will monitor the participants' progress and review their employment plans quarterly. CSS will also place participants in specialized training such as computer classes and even remedial reading classes if needed. CSS will work closely with training sites to insure they meet their requirements.

Once participants are "job ready" CSS will assist in their search for an unsubsidized position and then maintain contact for a three month period of time to provide support.

Persons age 55 or older interested in participating or non-profit or government agencies interested in serving as training sites are asked to contact the Senior Community Service Employment Program at 215 - 854 - 7030.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747