Janice Gabbert of Davenport, Iowa, wanted only one thing for Christmas: a good job that would help her keep her apartment. After months of trying, the former cashier still hadn’t found employment and was facing eviction.

     “When you reach a certain age,” said Ms. Gabbert, “it’s so difficult to find a job on your own".

     Her luck began to change when she realized that she was not on her own, and that there was a place she could turn to for help. Responding to a newspaper ad, Ms. Gabbert found the Second Wind Employment Program, which is funded by Iowa’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) and staffed by Catherine Pratscher-Woods and Jan McElhiney.

Janice Gabbert of Davenport, Iowa

     Pratscher-Woods and McElhiney, manager and employment specialist respectively at Second Wind SCSEP, leveraged SCSEP’s community partnerships across Iowa and developed a game plan for Ms. Gabbert – one that helped her put the pieces of her life back together.

     “Employment is not the only goal for our participants,” said McElhiney. “We want to improve their mental well-being and their whole outlook on life.

     Once they confirmed Ms. Gabbert’s eligibility for the program, her two SCSEP “angels” found her a community service assignment with the Salvation Army Thrift Store selling donated clothing and other household items. Next they worked with Ms.Gabbert’s landlord to delay her eviction until they could arrange temporary housing in the local shelter. The shelter also provided counseling and referred her to other community agencies for additional support and the Salvation Army stored her furniture.

     In mid-December, the Salvation Army manager contacted Ms. Gabbert with the best Christmas news of all. He offered her a permanent position.

     Ms. Gabbert happily accepted and now has a 28-hour-per-week job as a processor for thrift store donations. She even received some wrapped gifts on Christmas Day thanks to the local “ Santa for Seniors” program. Her name, along with those of other SCSEP participants, was referred to this local Christmas program that provides gifts to needy seniors. But the gift she really wanted had already arrived.

Janice Gabbert of Davenport, Iowa

     Now 2005 looks brighter than Ms. Gabbert could have imagined. After 90 days on the job, the Salvation Army will offer her a raise. She will also begin looking for a second job to continue her journey to independence. While living at the shelter, Ms. Gabbert saved enough money for a deposit on her new apartment. Second Wind SCSEP helped her move some of her belongings, and her furniture was moved to her new home.

     As Ms. Gabbert’s story demonstrates, having the Second Wind Employment Program as a component of the Generations Area Agency on Aging helps provide seniors with more options and service referrals because the employment specialists there are aware of many resources that can benefit older individuals.

     “We’re helping people who are nearly destitute to become productive. We’re providing employers with reliable, stable, loyal, appreciative, experienced workers who make excellent mentors for younger employees,” said Pratscher-Woods. “SCSEP is a terrific program for changing lives and realizing dreams.”

Happy New Year, Ms. Gabbert!