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news@wbcowqel.com
The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to work in the Bucyrus office and is partnering with the Experience Works program to offer the opportunity to those seeking job training.
Volunteers are needed to perform basic clerical and administrative duties in the office and will have the opportunity to take on additional tasks and training to support Red Cross programs in Crawford County. “Our administrative volunteers are the face of the Red Cross for those calling and visiting our office” says Executive Director Todd James. “We’re looking for those who enjoy working with people and can provide good customer service. We’ll make sure they have all the training and information they need to answer questions and help our clients and partners”.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Cheryl Wolfe at the Red Cross at cheryl.wolfe@redcross.org or call (419) 422-9322 ext. 1504.
James says the Red Cross is also working with the Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment Program in filling the positions. The goal of the Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is to provide participants with the training, experience, supportive services and information they need to improve their lives, gain self-sufficiency, realize their goals, obtain permanent employment and meet the needs of a demand-driven workforce.
Based on their employment interests and goals, participants are assigned to qualified nonprofit organizations or government agencies on a part-time basis where they are trained and receive work experience by performing their community service training assignment. While participants receive training, supervision and experience directly from their host agencies, their training wages and fringe benefits are paid by Experience Works.
“We’ve had real success with Experience Works participants in other Red Cross offices” James says. “For seniors who want to get back in the workforce and meet the qualifications for Experience Works, this is a great opportunity.”
An individual is eligible to be an Experience Works SCSEP participant if he or she meets the following criteria:
Age – A participant must be 55 years of age or older.
Residence – A participant must be a resident of the state where he or she is enrolled in the Experience Works SCSEP.
Income Requirements – A participant’s annual family income must not be more than 125% of the established federal poverty income guidelines.
Work Status – A participant’s eligibility to work in the United States must be verified by Experience Works (Form 1-9).
Unemployed – Participants must be unemployed at the time of enrollment. If they become employed, either full time or part time while enrolled, they must exit the program. The no-employment rule does not apply to casual, nonrecurring labor for which a participant may be compensated such as shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk or occasional babysitting.
For more information about the Experience Works program, contact Connie Coe at 419-756-1150.