This AARP program pairs older adults with work opportunities at area nonprofits

After 12 years of retirement, Roy Pearson was ready for something to do.

In April, the 74-year-old retired United Methodist Church pastor joined the AARP Foundation's Senior Community Service Employment Program, also known as SCSEP. The program partners seniors 55 and up with local nonprofits and government agencies in paid training assignments. Host agencies gain temporary staff at no cost and seniors have the opportunity to sharpen their soft and hard skills, while earning minimum wage. Participating seniors are paid through the AARP.

For his assignment, Pearson works in the Springfield AARP SCSEP project office. He completes data entry, payroll and recruitment for the program. On a day-to-day basis, Pearson works directly with SCSEP applicants, helping them complete necessary paperwork and attend training orientation.

Founded in 1965, the Senior Community Service Employment Program is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The program was birthed from the Older Americans Act, the first federal initiative to provide comprehensive services for senior citizens, enacted in 1965.

AARP SCSEP Project Director Sharon Lavengood described SCSEP as the community's "best kept secret."

Typically, SCSEP participants only work up to 18 hours per week, with a 36-hour biweekly paycheck. But because he works at the SCSEP project office, Pearson said he is allowed to work up to 25 hours per week. Missouri participants are paid $12.30 per hour, Lavengood told the News-Leader.

Pearson described his work at the SCSEP project office as "very fulfilling."

"I was talking with and interviewing an enrollee the day before yesterday and the lightbulb started going off when I asked her, 'What if there was a job you wanted to do? What would it be?' She started listing out things and it dawned on me how motivated she was, but she didn't know how to get there," Pearson said. "It was kind of a good moment for her and for me too."

All participants receive an Individual Employment Plan, or IEP, to define their goals and what steps they need to take to reach these goals.

In addition to his tasks at the project office, Pearson participates in various job-related training courses, held both in-person and online. He's completed Goodwill Community Foundation training programs and some training offered by AARP SCSEP itself. These supervised trainings are included in the 25 hours Pearson works each week. The AARP frequently partners with the Missouri Job Center for trainings, too.

Seniors may participate in SCSEP for up to 2 years, Lavengood said.

The Springfield AARP SCSEP Project Office serves 11 counties in southwest Missouri: Barry, Christian, Douglas, Greene, Lawrence, McDonald, Ozark, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright. Lavengood did not indicate how many seniors participate in the program throughout these counties. But according to the Missouri SCSEP State Plan for 2020-2023, up to 205 positions could be filled in the state of Missouri in 2021.

How do seniors get involved with SCSEP?

Unemployed seniors who are 55 and up and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level are eligible to apply for SCSEP. According to the U.S. Department of Labor website, priority is given to veterans and qualified spouses, then to individuals who are over the age of 65, have a disability, have low literacy skills or limited English proficiency, reside in a rural area, are homeless or at risk for homelessness, have low employment prospects or have failed to find employment through the American Job Center system.

The first step in the application process is calling the AARP office at 417-873-9275. From there, interested individuals will be directed to complete an online application form. If an application is approved, an applicant will then interview with a member of the project office about what skills the applicant would like to work on and what host agency would make the most sense to partner with.

Due to "confidentiality," Lavengood said she could not provide the names of host agencies or how many participate in the program in southwest Missouri. However, she said most agencies are social service providers, like homeless outreach organizations and senior centers.

How do nonprofits and government agencies support the program?

Nonprofits and government agencies interested in hosting SCSEP participants should also call the AARP office at 417-873-9275.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her atgcross@news-leader.com.