Call it what you will: economic downturn or recession; times are tough, especially for older citizens forcing many to get back to work.

However, a local program is helping ease senior citizens back into the workforce.

Reba Harron has been working for the Senior Employment Program for a few years now, and little did she know, after looking for assistance from the program, she'd end up helping those just like herself.

"My son-in-law came home one day from the Boys and Girls Club and had a brochure for older workers and he said ‘Momma, you read this and see if you're interested, and you know, maybe we can check it out’. So, I read it and said oh wow, this is for me," Harron said.
The Senior Employment Program is nationwide. It helps senior citizens 55 and older find jobs and helps bring in a little extra income.

Senior Employment Program Director Barbara Knight said, "Social security is not enough, retirement is not enough, the cost of living is going up and they need that extra income to pay their medicines or just to keep up with the rising costs."

The program not only helps senior citizens get back into the workforce, but also gives employers an asset they never hope to lose.

"Some of the people they say they can't exist without them, once they get a good one, they say send me 10 more just like them," Knight added.

Harron says the program helps a handful of seniors each week.

She says it's rewarding to help others just as others had helped her.

If you would like more information on the program, contact Barbara Knight at 794-4093.