a job-training program that’s a win-win

By Habitat for Humanity Lakeside staff
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On any given Tuesday at the Sheboygan ReStore, a shopper might find Betty placing merchandise on shelves or Jill tidying up the store, preparing it for Wednesday’s flood of customers.

“Next to Kohler, this is the best job I ever had,” says Betty, whose happy place in the ReStore is the bench where she cleans and prices donated goods.

Jill, for her part, is happy to sweep, mop, and otherwise make the store presentable for customers. “It keeps me busy,” she says, adding that since joining the ReStore in June, she’s gotten to enjoy the camaraderie among employees.

Betty and Jill found their ReStore positions through Indianhead Enterprises, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that sponsors the federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP helps income-eligible older adults build skills, gain valuable work experience, and prepare to re-enter the workforce by connecting them with part-time training opportunities. Throughout their training, individuals can explore a variety of career pathways, including roles in customer service, administrative support, retail, food service, custodial work, and other in‑demand fields that match their interests and abilities.

Indianhead works with 40 to 50 organizations, called host agencies, in 22 counties across Wisconsin to place seniors in training opportunities.

“Between the skill building and individuals’ determination, the program is successful,” says Carrie Zinda, SCSEP project coordinator at Indianhead, noting that SCSEP has placed thousands of people since its founding in the 1960s. Participants may remain in the program for up to four years while developing the skills and experience needed to transition into unsubsidized employment; indeed, they can get help transitioning to unsubsidized employment at any time. “We are a workforce development program, not a temporary staffing agency,” Zinda explains. “We help job seekers re-enter the workforce with enhanced skills, confidence, and capabilities.”

Most participants learn about SCSEP through flyers, word of mouth, the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, veterans’ organizations, and other community partners. Once placed with a host agency, participants receive paid, on-the-job training, with wages funded through the SCSEP program.

Zinda counts off several ways Indianhead’s program benefits job seekers: They earn money and stay competitive in the job market while updating their resumes. They build skills and connections to find permanent posts once their four years with SCSEP is up. They get a boost in self-confidence and well-being, and, as an added benefit, the money they earn bolsters the local economy.

Employers, such as Habitat Lakeside, reap benefits, too.

“I really enjoy working with Indianhead,” says Sheboygan ReStore Manager Rachel Hartlaub, who heard about Indianhead through a Green Bay-based agency that no longer works with the SCSEP program. “Jill and Betty add a lot of character to the store,” she says. “They are hardworking and help out wherever needed.”
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Betty “is a jack of all trades,” Hartlaub says. “She can price, put merchandise away, cashier, answer the phone, help customers and has even helped me lead high-school student volunteers. She feels like a member of the ReStore family.” Jill, who joined the ReStore this spring, “is a huge help on Tuesdays, when we clean and prep the store for the week,” Hartlaub says. “She sweeps, mops, cleans the bathroom and takes out the trash, which allows staff members to catch up on pickups and pricing on Tuesdays. It may not sound like a huge deal, but it is.”

For nonprofits interested in working with Indianhead, Hartlaub advises doing a little planning first. “Think about what needs you have and communicate this with Indianhead,” she says. When meeting with Zinda and the job seeker, “treat it like an interview and listen to your gut to evaluate whether the job seeker will be a right fit for the needs and tasks of your nonprofit,” Hartlaub says.

Her biggest advice? “Just do it,” she says. “Indianhead has a list of job seekers who need to be matched with a nonprofit, and nonprofits need the help. And it’s free help. It truly is a win-win-win for the non-profit, Indianhead, and the individual who needs a job.”

For more information on how nonprofits can work with Indianhead, visit their website. The organization has two project coordinators in Menomonie and two in Green Bay, with each assigned to different counties around the state. “The way to begin is to contact the designated coordinator,” Zinda says.
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Seniors interested in the program can also visit the website; they will need to fill out an application and undergo income verification to make sure they are eligible for the program. “Be persistent and let an organization know you’re interested in the job,” Jill says. “Just because you're an older adult doesn't mean you can't work and be productive.”

Jill (left) and Betty at the Sheboygan ReStore