Temporary employment will now be available for senior citizens thanks to a $382,463 grant.

The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission announced on Thursday that the agency received the nearly $400,000 funding from Senior Service America Inc.

Almost 90 percent of this grant – originally from the U.S. Department of Labor – will provide temporary employment for some 65 low income older adults living in Covington, Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties.

The older adults will participate in the senior community service employment program, which is a major program of the Older Americans Act.

The program is the only federal job training program focused exclusively on helping low income seniors, promotes personal dignity and self-sufficiency through work.

The jobs are temporary, part-time and are designed to provide a hand-up, not a hand-out for older, unemployed low-income Americans.

The senior community service employment program allows eligible persons to participate for up to only four years, but the average tenure nationally is 18 months.

“We are very pleased to continue our support of the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission for the 43rd consecutive year,” said Gary A. Officer, Senior Service America executive director.

“This program delivers a triple win for older adults and the whole community,” said Tom Solomon, executive director of the SEARPDC.

The participants help more than 30 local community, faith-based and public agencies carry out their mission. Older workers are keeping healthy by remaining connected and not isolated in their community.

For more info, call 334-794-4093.