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Show senior power., reservoir oi labor force By RANDY DANIELS Record Reporter CEDAR CITY Being older really just means being a little better ac cording to several employers em-ployers of older persons in southern Utah. Several businesses and organizations are finding out that Americas senior citizens, 55 and older, are a vast reservoir reser-voir of labor power that is not fully being utilized which, when unleashed, demonstrates a maeaningful employment, em-ployment, not only providing the extra needed income, but also providing spiritual revitalizaition with a pat on the back, said Bam-mes. Bam-mes. She added that the older people work because they want to keep the jobs they have or else they want to come back into the work force so that they can sustain themselves, since, for many, Social Security is just not enough. "Green Thumb is a program that can provide work and pay for the older workers, but it looks like it will be cut in the near future," said Bammes. According to State Director Yvonne Wheadon the Green Thumb program may be in its last days due to " national budget cuts. "Our seniors who are enrolled in Green Thumb and other Title V Programs will be out of jobs and without that income," stated Wheadon in a letter sent to all Green Thumb host agencies. Green Thumb worker in Cedar City Minnie Carter says that she really likes the program and that others she has talked to have the same feelings, but if the budget is cut she doesn't know what she will do. "I need the money, and I like to work. It's not like something you hate to go to every day, but if its cut, well, who knows," said Carter. Green Thumb not only provides the opportunity to revive old skills, but also often challenges the older person with an opportunity to develop new skills. One worker in Parowan who had spent much of his life herding sheep after retirement was provided a chance to develop his skills and became a good plasterer through the program. Commenting on a Green Thumb older worker at the Cedar City Daughters of Utah Pioneers Muesum, Zella Matheson said that the worker turned out very well. "She really helped us out. She was very well trained. If they cut the program, like talk has it that they might do, then I don't know what we are going to do next year," Matheson explained. Programs like Green Thumb and just plain employing of the older workers helps to restore the self-confidence of older persons which is often lost due to inactivity and a life that is basically unproductive. Given a chance, they can demonstrate to the community that they have plenty to offer in service, decreasing their dependence on public assistance and improving human relations, Bammes added. "Often I think that the older workers are a lot better than the younger ones. The older workers are more sincere and do what it takes to get the job done when some of the younger workers will stay on breaks and just not care. "Older people, if able, really get in and do their part," stated Carter. r- Common sources that are taping the vast reservoir of older labor power by using the Green Thumb workers include municipalities, counties, school districts, museums, libraries, parks and recreation areas, and nutrition centers. Being a little older really just means being alittle better for the senior citizens participating par-ticipating in programs like Green Thumb and all the rest of those thai comprise "senior power" in the business industry. tremendous amount of dedication, enthusiasm and consistency in the work force. Iron County Aging Coordinator Leora Bammes reports that the employers of the older workers are very pleased with their performance. "In my program, the older workers are great. Sometimes they struggle to learn new skills, but they are persistant about learning it and work very well," Bammes added. ' Green Thumb is a program designed to aid older workers and demonstrate to employers em-ployers that "senior power" is a plus for their businesses, according to Bammes. Green Thumb is sponsored by the National Farmers Union and is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and other local, state and national agencies and organizations. A Green Thumb employee em-ployee is expected, after a period of service long enough to become prepared for un-subsidized un-subsidized work, to take the private job and make room for a new Green Thumb enrollee to fill the vacated slot. Workers are paid minimum wage and work no more than 20 hours a week and may not be paid for more than 1,300 hours of work in a 12-month period. Applicants must pass an annual physical examination which is paid for by Green Thumb. The program is among the top programs designed to seek out older Americans in the low-income low-income bracket in need of supplemental income. The program puts them to work in useful and III Certainly young at heart, Amanda Pace, 68, punches up a sale at the Southern Utah State College Bookstore. She is only one of many examples in the area of older workers providing excellent help for various businesses. She has been employed at the bookstore for about 14 years. |