The United Way of the Cape Fear Area was recently awarded more than $570,000 from the Center for Workforce Inclusion Inc. to help older area residents.

According to a news release, the Center for Workforce Inclusion, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, has been involved in age-inclusive workforce development for more than 60 years. The center works with training experts nationwide to give older adults the skills they need to participate in a modern workforce and helps connect employers with job seekers. 

Roughly 90% of the workforce inclusion grant will be used to provide temporary employment to at least 94 low-income older North Carolina residents living in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties, the release stated. 

Participants will also take part in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which is a cornerstone program of the Older Americans Act and the only federal job training program that is targeted exclusively to low-income, older job seekers, according to the release. 

According to the Administration for Community Living, the Older Americans Act “was the first federal-level initiative aimed at providing comprehensive services for older adults.”

“The Senior Community Service Employment Program grant is truly a win-win-win for our community,” said Tommy Taylor, CEO of the United Way of the Cape Fear Area, in the release. “Not only does it allow United Way to hire low-income seniors to supplement their social security, but it provides up-to-date job training, social engagement and capacity support for critical nonprofits in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties.  It also provides roughly half a million dollars after taxes to our local economy.” 

The Center for Workforce Inclusion has helped more than 500,000 people gain unsubsidized employment from the SCSEP program. Participants must be at least 55, unemployed and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level. 

This program further helps those seeking jobs learn new skills and freshen up older ones. 

Current training sites that SCSEP job seekers utilize and help carry out its missions include Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity, Columbus County Department of Aging, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, the American Red Cross, the Onslow County PEERS program and Pender County Christian Services.