Gotham’s Untapped Resources
Maria Serrano is the Director-EEO Officer of Senior Services of Resources & Partnerships in the Department for the Aging in New York City. They service the "mature" worker, 55 and older who are unemployed. "We try to be very pro-active in every single aspect of helping the mature worker return to the job market." states Serrano. She finds it very challenging because many of the employers are not yet tuned into hiring the mature worker.
"One of our largest campaigns over the past two years is to promote the mature worker to the business community in New York City." said Serrano. Of the population that seek their services "the largest percentage is from the Afro-American community, then the White community, followed by a growing number from the Latino community...in all the groups that seek services, about 60% are women."
Because they are federally funded applicants have to meet certain criteria. They must be 55 years of age, have a family income of under $12,500 in the past year and have a social security card and prove residency in one of the five boroughs of New York.
What is the type of person that will come to the center? How are their emotional needs met?
