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Nonprofit presenter Nina outlines Department of Labor'funded program that places seniors in paid internships
Summary
At a Bangor City community meeting, Nina of A4TD described the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a Department of Labor grant program that provides paid, 20-hour-per-week training internships for low-income residents age 55 and older; attendees asked about municipal placements, eligibility and how to apply.
Nina, a program director at the nonprofit A4TD, told a Bangor City community meeting that the Department of Labor'funded Senior Community Service Employment Program helps low-income residents age 55 and older rejoin the workforce through training and paid, 20-hour-a-week internships with nonprofits and municipalities.
"We start off, we take a look at the eligibility... next, we move on and we start their training," Nina said, describing a pathway that begins with computer literacy and can include credentials and on-the-job placements. She said data from the Department of Labor show the share of workers aged 55 and older has grown over recent decades and that projections to 2026 indicate the proportion will continue to rise.
The program provides workplace placements with nonprofits and municipal hosts and pays trainees from the federal grant, Nina said. "The training wages are the Department of Labor," she told the group, adding that A4TD holds the grant to run SCSEP in the state and that the annual federal allocation limits the number of participants the program can enroll.
A program participant described the practical impact: "This program has allowed me to keep my home, and it don't affect my benefit," the attendee said, explaining the work did not reduce food-stamp benefits and helped cover living costs.
Attendees asked whether city departments could host interns. Planning officer (speaker 3) identified municipal contacts—"Alisa Goodwin runs the treasury" and suggested HR would have the best view of placement needs—while Nina offered to share her email and follow up about specific opportunities.
Nina said outreach sources include career centers and online notices; she said A4TD will assist applicants who cannot complete the online form by filling it out with them. She encouraged any local nonprofit or municipal official to discuss potential internship duties and required skills so A4TD can refer suitable candidates.
The presentation closed with a request for help locating host agencies and a reminder that the program is income-based and intended for those without substantial employment; Nina urged interested residents to apply so staff can evaluate eligibility and begin matching training tracks to goals.
The meeting did not record a formal vote or policy decision; follow-up actions discussed included municipal staff and Nina exchanging contact information to explore placements and potential inclusion on a future agenda for more formal coordination.
