The National Indian Council on Aging’s (NICOA) Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)‘s mission is to provide opportunity for low-income elders through paid training, meaningful community service and skills development. These stories and videos highlight the resiliency and success of real SCSEP participants who are living proof of the value this program has on these elders, their communities and employers.
SCSEP Success Story Videos
Lynn Wise, program manager for NICOA’s North Dakota SCSEP, explains the program and its advantages.
Cindy Haderlie had retired from working in human services but decided that she wasn’t quite ready to retire emotionally or financially. She talks about the connections she’s made working at various host agencies. Lynn Wise, program manager of SCSEP North Dakota, talks about the program, who it benefits and how, and why she herself was a participant.
Former Senior Community Service Employment Program participant and current Salvation Army Red Shield Kitchen employee Patricia Harrison talks about how the National Indian Council on Aging’s SCSEP changed her life.
Former Senior Community Service Employment Program participant and current Salvation Army employee John Hairston shares his experience with the National Indian Council on Aging’s program.
Kathy Brito has worked in various capacities all her life. As an elder now, she describes the discrimination she experiences in spite of being an accomplished and dedicated worker. She credits the National Indian Council on Aging’s Senior Community Service Employment Program as the answer to her prayers, and is now developing new job skills to continue working as an elder.
Ms. Garcia tells the story of her upbringing with her family on the Santa Domingo Pueblo of New Mexico, the rich cultural traditions that influenced her career as a professional nurse, and the current chapter of her life — learning new job skills through the National Indian Council on Aging’s Senior Community Service Employment Program and what this means for her.
SCSEP Success Story Articles
Individuals Over 55 Have Help Finding Employment in North Dakota: Cindy Haderlie had retired from working in human services but decided that she wasn’t quite ready to retire emotionally or financially. She talks about the connections she’s made working at various host agencies. Lynn Wise, program manager of SCSEP North Dakota, talks about the program, who it benefits and how, and why she herself was a participant.
SCSEP Training Courses Help Participants Succeed: NICOA SCSEP participants Sandy Simon, Deb Brych and Jacqueline Lewis talk about gaining experience working with computers.
SCSEP Success Story – Colleen Teske: Colleen Teske struggled to find employment until she discovered NICOA’s SCSEP.
SCSEP Success Story – Diane Martinez: Current NICOA SCSEP participant Diane Martinez shares her journey through homelessness before finding success in the SCSEP.
SCSEP Success Story – Darrell Drapeau: Former NICOA SCSEP participant Darrell Drapeau went on to be elected as a member of South Dakota’s Yankton Sioux Tribe Business and Claims Committee, which governs the tribe.
SCSEP Success Story – Juan Rico: With the assistance of NICOA, Juan was able to find employment with a food vendor at Costco and has been happily serving customers food samples and singing ever since.
SCSEP Success Story – Doreen Tenorio: “I am very grateful that NICOA placed me here. I am really learning so much.”
SCSEP Success Story – Jim Dunphy: Jim Dunphy is perfect example of how returning value into someone’s life can benefit others.
SCSEP Success Story – Jacqueline Lewis: “When I applied to this program I felt defeated. The job hunting process had changed so much from the earlier years. NICOA’s SCSEP teaches you that you can still step out and succeed at 55 or older.”
SCSEP Success Story – Jose Mosqueda: “My personal experience with NICOA has been rewarding. NICOA provided me the opportunity to return to the workforce and change my living environment.”
A Day in the Life of a SCSEP Staff Member: Yolanda Harrison, central region employment specialist with NICOA’s SCSEP shares her experience visiting Denver host agencies.
