At Associates for Training and Development (A4TD), the delayed funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) has created real challenges. Many of our staff are on furlough, yet our work has not stopped. The organization remains fully operational, and our commitment to participants and communities continues without pause.
Across Maine, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, SCSEP participants are demonstrating extraordinary dedication. Despite disruptions, many have chosen to volunteer at their host agencies, contributing their skills and experience to support community programs. These acts are more than service—they are a testament to the dignity, purpose, and perseverance that define the generation we serve.
Although furloughed staff are not permitted to work, many stay in touch with participants on their own time. Out of compassion and concern, they have continued offering encouragement and maintaining connections. Their dedication shows that even in times of uncertainty, our mission and sense of community remain strong.
This is a story about more than a funding delay. It is about the enduring value of experience, the commitment of older adults, and the reliability of an organization that refuses to pause in the service of its community. Through every furlough and every volunteer hour, A4TD demonstrates that dedication, resilience, and purpose are constants—no matter the obstacles.