Southwestern Community Action Council - Senior Community Services Employment Program, also known as the Mature Worker Program

Southwestern Community Action Council provides a variety of services across the state of WV.  In the Beckley - Raleigh County area (as well as in 20 other counties) we provide the Senior Community Services Employment Program.  We work with individuals aged 55 and over who are unemployed, with lower income, and are seeking employment.  We match them up with "on the job" training sites to gain skills and expirence to help them move toward employment.  They train an average of 20 hours per week and we pay a stipend equal to minimum wage.  Patricpants gain work experience, self-esteem, and increased financial stability.  The training sites, which are non-profit organizations or government agencies, also benefit from being able to supplement their staff at no cost to them. Training sites are not obligated to hire the participants, but are encouraged to do so if possible.  The program is a "try before you buy" opportunity. Training sites get the opportunity to see how the person performs without the expense of training.  SCSEP was developed by the Department of Labor, is overseen by the National Council on Aging and is funded through the Title V Older Americans Act.

Southwestern also provides Supportive Services for Veterans and Families in the Beckley - Raleigh County area (as well as 15 other counties).  The SSVFS program is designed to lift low-income Veterans and Veteran Families out of homelessness and into stable permanent housing through assistance in the areas of case management, outreach, temporary financial assistance, and referrals to help in obtaining VA benefits. 

Our main office is in Huntington but we also have an office at 106 Main Street in Beckley as well as an office in Logan, WV, and Ashland, KY.