A Story That Shouldn't Be Happening in America

Meet Irene, age 70. After retiring early to care for her terminally ill husband, she found herself alone, with little savings, and determined to stay independent. She didn’t want a handout — she wanted the dignity of work.

Through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) — the only federal job training program for low-income adults aged 55 and older — Irene was placed at a local elementary school helping children learn to read. Her modest paycheck helped cover food, medicine, and utilities. More than that, it gave her purpose, confidence, and community.

But now, due to political and administrative delays, SCSEP funding approved by Congress is being withheld. Irene and tens of thousands like her have been furloughed without warning. Their already-limited income is gone — and so is their connection to the world around them.

 
📉 The Issue

Who Is Impacted?

Over 40,000 seniors across the U.S. rely on SCSEP for part-time, minimum-wage jobs that help them make ends meet. These individuals are often veterans, caregivers, and former workers who still want to contribute — and depend on SCSEP wages for essentials like rent, food, and medicine.

SCSEP also supports nonprofits, schools, and public agencies, with older Americans providing valuable services. In 2022 alone, SCSEP participants contributed over 20 million hours of service to food banks, libraries, senior centers, and schools.

What’s at Stake?

This is not just about income. It’s about dignity, purpose, and survival.

Without immediate action:

• Seniors face deeper poverty and isolation
• Communities lose trusted and trained volunteers
• A successful, proven federal program is undermined for purely political reasons

Why Now?

The crisis is unfolding right now.

Funds are sitting unused while seniors are being sent home. This is not a budget issue — this is a leadership failure. The Department of Labor must act immediately to release allocated SCSEP funding, and Congress must ensure full funding going forward.

 
✊ We Demand Immediate Action

We, the undersigned, call on:

• Julie Su, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor, to release all SCSEP funds immediately
• Congress to protect and fully fund SCSEP moving forward
• Elected officials to honor and uplift the seniors who have given so much to their communities

 Let’s stand up for Irene.

Let’s stand up for every senior who still wants to work, serve, and live with dignity.

Let’s make sure America keeps its promise.

🖊️ Sign the petition. Call your legislators. Share widely.

Together, we can #MakeAmericaWorkAgain — for everyone.