By Dorothy Foster
Correspondent
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — It’s Ann Rumpca’s job to find jobs.
As the field job developer for the Senior Community Service Program in Bradley and Polk counties, Ms. Rumpca calls upon nonprofit and government agencies to place her clients.
As part of a federal grant sponsored locally by Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors, the program provides qualifying seniors up to 20 hours a week of part-time, paid on-the-job training at these establishments. The agencies receive the seniors’ services at no charge.
The grant will cover up to 200 people this year in Bradley, Polk, Rhea, McMinn, Meigs and Hamilton counties.
The program helps seniors bolster their incomes and provide useful community services. The clients work at schools, libraries, the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofit organizations.
Connie Polen said that, after her parents died, she was stuck in an empty house with nowhere to go.
“Now I’m at the Cleveland Boys and Girls Club with all these children,” she said. “It’s been an absolute lifesaver for me.”
SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM* For seniors 55 and olderwhose income does not exceed 125 percent of the poverty level.* For more information on the Bradley/Polk areas, call Ann Rumpca, 423-504-1831 or 423-299-9039.* For more information, call Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors 423-668-2143 or 423-755-6123.
“Being able to work keeps me young,” said J.B. Crittenden, who works at Tennessee Rehabilitation Services in Cleveland.
Ms. Rumpca oversees 34 employees and stays busy visiting job sites, enrolling new prospects and holding monthly job clubs, which teach skills such as updating resumes and applying for jobs online.
Cindi Crutchfield, director of employment and training for Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors, described Ms. Rumpca as “very dedicated and a true asset to our program.”
Ms. Rumpca said helping so many seniors find work is uplifting.
“Just to help make someone life better, even if it’s just minimum-wage pay,” she said. “That’s the best reward of all.”