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.
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Janice Gabbert of Davenport, Iowa
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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.
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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!