Nonprofit A4TD pitches revived senior employment program seeking host agencies in Bangor

Nina, a representative of nonprofit A4TD, told the group the Senior Community Service Employment Program places older adults in internship‑style host placements to help them reenter the workforce. "We are a transitional training program where, um, they can come on board with us," she said, describing a model in which participants work 20 hours a week at a host agency while A4TD provides a Department of Labor‑funded wage subsidy and monthly job‑skills workshops.

The program offers resume and interview help, funding for credentialing in fields such as certified nursing assistant training or administrative certificates, and limited one‑time assistance for needs such as heating or vehicle repairs. Nina said the program had a federal funding “hiccup” last year but is now "fully funded through 2027" and is recruiting both participants and host agencies in the Bangor area.

Participants at the meeting described firsthand benefits: Dominic Rizzo, who said he took part in the program before COVID, told the group it helped him secure a front‑desk job and that his host site wanted to hire him full time. Attendees suggested potential host placements, such as vacation‑season greeter roles at the visitor center.

City staff and A4TD agreed to follow up by email to explore placements and outreach. The program contact asked local organizations to consider hosting a participant and to share recruitment information with eligible candidates.