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Program Helps Seniors Learn Needed Work Skills

By Latrisha Jackson, The Reporter

August 3, 2005

An innovative program that helps poor seniors obtain meaningful work has received a $329,636 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

The program - Wisconsin Senior Employment (WISE) - is run locally by Advocap.

The program is expected to use the money to continue providing part-time paid work experience in community services to seniors age 55 and older.

"As the baby boomer population ages, more seniors will likely need these services," said Advocap Executive Director Mike Bonertz.

The program, he said, increases economic self-sufficiency for older adults in Fond du Lac , Winnebago and Green Lake counties.

"I'm disabled and I know for a fact that the WISE program is great for any qualified individual," said Mary Kay Olsen, a WISE participant from Oshkosh . "It trains you so you'll be able to break out into today's work force. The program makes you feel comfortable and shows you that no matter how old you get, you can still acquire the necessary skills to join the work force again."

WISE provides opportunities for participants to obtain unsubsidized jobs in private industry or the public sector. Participants must have a family income below 125 percent of the federal poverty level.

"The award will definitely help the program continue servicing seniors in Wisconsin ," said Jen Mathison, WISE coordinator for Advocap.

Those who complete the program develop new skills and talents and gain work experience that leads to private sector jobs.

"I recently completed the program," said Kay Leonhardt of Oshkosh . "I started working in the Advocap Oshkosh office as a secretary. They helped me with my resume and gave me a lot of encouragement."

Cary Wright, Advocap's director of community employment services, said, "Many people aren't aware of this great program and how seniors, veterans and their spouses can benefit from the various workshops that we offer."

WISE offers training assignments, assessments to determine individual needs, computer training, post-program follow-up and more.