Chester chamber educated on helping seniors find work

Randy Osborn, Southern Illinois Case Manager for MERS Goodwill, was the featured speaker Feb. 18 at the Chester Chamber of Commerce community lunch meeting at the Chester Eagles.

Osborn discussed the Senior Community Service Employment Program, a community and work-based training program for older workers.

MERS is a partner with the federal program. SCSEP was authorized by Congress in 1965 as part of the Older Americans Act, to provide subsidized, part time community service work-based training for low income persons, aged 55 or older who have poor employment prospects.

Osborn explained that SCSEP provides an opportunity for southern Illinois 501(c)3 nonprofit agencies and public entities to assist eligible seniors in finding gainful employment.