After four months of diligent job searching, neighborhood resident Gail Worrall discovered the Senior Employment Source and attended her first seminar.
Two months later, she found employment with a Dallas electronics company.
“The Senior Employment Source has helped me tremendously,” she says. “I have such a better outlook now than when I was doing it on my own.”
During her job search, Worrall was most discouraged by entering an interview only to see what she describes as “the look” on an employer’s face when they realize her age.
“It is such a relief to go on interviews through the Senior Employment Source, because the employer already knows you’re older,” she says.
The Senior Employment Source, a joint project of the Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas and the City of Dallas Office of Senior Affairs, is in its third year of helping older workers conduct a successful job search.
Through a series of free seminars held each month, SES is able to direct adults 59 and older to area companies that have jobs available.
Elizabeth Childress, the program’s communications director, says one of the challenges older job seekers face is a widespread misconception among young people that senior citizens are “well-off.”
“The fact is there are very few senior citizens who can afford to not work,” she says. “There tends to be the idea among younger people that older people no longer need to work.”
Last year, SES placed 270 older workers in permanent jobs through its jobs-lead database, which houses about 6,000 job listings.
The next seminar will be held Jan. 30 at the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak. For information about this or other services offered by Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas, call 214-823-5700.
News & Notes
MEETINGS
Newcomers Meet: The White Rock Newcomers club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Holiday Inn, LBJ and Jupiter Road. The program will include performances by a vocal trio, luncheon ($13) at 11:30 a.m. followed by bridge and games. The club meets the first Tuesday of every month and membership is open to all residents of Dallas County. For reservations, call 972-414-9202.
American Association of Retired Persons: The Lake Highlands Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons will meet on Dec. 15 at the Lake Highlands United Methodist Church at Plano and McCree. Coffee is at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m. The speaker is the musical accompanist from East Grand Baptist Church. The group usually meets the fourth Monday of each month. For information, call 214-341-1846.
The Ridgewood AARP Chapter #3787 will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 E. Lovers Lane on Dec. 18. The program will feature Christmas music presented by Monte and Roddy Elliott. Donations of unwrapped toys will be accepted for the Wilkinson Center. For more information, call 214-827-6678.
Seniors Active in Life: The Seniors Active in Life group will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center. The group holds a $5 luncheon the second Monday of each month. Reservations are required. For information, call 214-891-9740.
HEALTH HAPPENINGS
Support Groups: Presbyterian Hospital, 8220 Walnut Hill, offers several different support groups for the public. For information on an arthritis support group, call 214-345-4672. A cancer support group meets every second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Radiation Oncology Center. For information, call 214-345-7985. The stroke survivors support group meets regularly in the Finley Ewing Cardiovascular and Fitness Center. For information, call 214-345-7042.
PACE Class: The White Rock/Lake Highlands YMCA is offering a new class for arthritic adults and those with limited mobility. PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays and are designed to increase range-of-motion and decrease pain. Also available: Aerobics classes (for those 55 and up) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays designed for the more active adult. For more information, call 214-328-4621.
