Older Americans are returning to work after retirement, or are wanting to try out a new career or job direction. The recent elimination of earnings limits for Social Security beneficiaries age 65-69 is another factor which will encourage older Americans to remain in or return to the work force.
If you are looking to upgrade your job skills, want information on career choices or are seeking full or part-time employment, check out these resources.
Supportive Services Corporation
Subsidized employment for persons age 55 and over, residents of Erie County, at/or below current federal poverty level. The Senior Community Service Employment Program assists mature job seekers and their communities by providing part-time community service assignments while supporting local non-profit and governmental agencies.
Phone: 881-6350
Web: http://www.supportiveservices.org
Senior Jobs Program
Free employment and training services for persons age 55 and over, residents of Erie County. Services include employment plan, resume preparation, job readiness workshop, training opportunities and job development/placement.
Phone: 881-6350
Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Program - Older Worker Program
Free employment and training services for persons age 55 and over, residents of Erie County. Services include all noted in SENIOR JOBS PROGRAM, as well a linkage to other employment and training service providers in Erie County.
Phone: 881-6350
Senior Companion Program
Enables the frail elderly and other adults with special needs to maintain their independence. Low-income individuals 55 years of age or older serve as companions to provide non-health-related services such as shopping, errands, light housekeeping, reading, writing letters, transportation to and from physician appointments, daily visits, meal preparation and respite. Volunteers are paid a modest hourly stipend for their services and receive reimbursement for travel to and from the client's home. Clients are linked with a trustworthy, trained, dependable helping hand. That extra assistance, which is free-of-charge to clients, fills a gap in care which, unfilled, would result in costly, unnecessary nursing home/residential care. Interested parties can contact the Senior Companion Program by calling 768-2381. Learn more by going to: http://peopleinc.org/senior_services_home/senior_companion_program/index.html.
Foster Grandparenting
Volunteers over age of 55 who serve up to 40 hours per week. Some volunteers may qualify to earn a tax-free, hourly stipend. With Foster Grandparents, you’ll receive pre-service orientation, training from the organization where you serve, and supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty. Foster Grandparents act as a role model, a mentor, and a friend helping children learn to read, providing one-on-one tutoring, and guiding children at a critical time in their lives. Put simply, you give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future. And remember: When you volunteer, you’re not just helping others—you’re helping yourself. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends. Plus, studies show that volunteering helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life. In Erie County, the program may be contacted through Catholic Charities of Buffalo, 128 Wilson St., Buffalo, NY 14212 - Dorothy Turchiarelli Phone: (716) 896-6388 ext 216
Buffalo And Erie County Workforce Development Consortium, Inc.
A network of employment and training providers, educational institutions and community agencies work together to help every person reach his or her career and/or employment goals.
Full Service Centers:
Buffalo Employment and Training Center
77 Goodell Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 851-2600
Web: http://www.workforcebuffalo.org
Erie Community College Employment and Training Center
3176 Abbott Road
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Phone: 270-4444
Web: https://www.ecc.edu/onestop/ and https://www.ecc.edu/crc/
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
Services offered by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - provides information on career choices, job information, course work, literacy and continuing education. Access to computers, self-help audio cassettes and informational seminars to prepare you for the possibility of fulfilling and enriching experiences.
Phone: 858-8900
Jewish Family Service Of Buffalo And Erie County
The Career Services Department offers three primary programs to the unemployed and underemployed. Career Counseling integrates interest, personality and ability tests into a process designed to assist the individual with making informed career decisions and educational and career plans. Placement Counseling is a job search training and guidance service to provide the tools and techniques needed to conduct a productive job hunt. Job Club is a weekly, two-hour group for the unemployed and underemployed job seeker during which members share support and strategies. Variable fees depending on service.
Phone: 883-1914
Maryvale Community Education Adult Career Center, Cheektowaga, NY
Workshops to learn job hunting skills, career counseling, high school equivalency examination preparation, vocation interest testing, job search assistance and other employment related services. Variable fees depending on service.
Phone: 635-4666
Web: http://www.maryvaleufsd.org/continuing_education.cfm
New York State Department Of Labor
Multiple Locations offer job referrals/placement; job development; resource room; federal, state and county civil service listings, job search workshops; internet access to employment related training. Also information regarding unemployment insurance, and veteran services. Hours are generally 8:30-4:30 Mon-Fri. A specialist serving persons age 55 and over is available at 851-2750.
Web: http://www.labor.state.ny.us
NYS Dept of Labor Williamsville One-Stop
4175 Transitown Plaza, Williamsville, NY 14221 Phone: 634-9081
New York State Division Of Human Rights
Intake and investigation of notarized complaints alleging discrimination based on age, race, color, national origin, sex, creed, or disability.
Phone: 847-7632 Web: http://www.dhr.ny.gov/
Buffalo State College Small Business Development Center
The center helps business people and those interested in starting a new business in Erie County enter a new market, develop a business plan and offers research information.
Phone: 878-4030
Social Security Administration
Pays monthly benefits to over 39 million people under the various programs it administers. A representative will answer questions about the effect of work on these benefits and how additional work may earn additional credit.
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Other Resources
Many school districts Adult and/or Continuing Education programs and area colleges offer employment related classes.
Western New York Regional Information Network (RIN)
RIN located at SUNY at Buffalo lists various resources to assist the job seeker in locating employment opportunities in 9 counties of WNY. Phone: 829-3777
Eldercare has a brochure of tips for older adults who are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce, with suggestions for identifying job skills, finding job leads, filling out an application and preparing for an interview - http://www.eldercare.gov/ELDERCARE.NET/Public/Resources/Brochures/docs/Older_Jobseekers_Brochure.pdf