ReServe, a nonprofit that has had success in the New York area over the last three years matching retirees with public service jobs that pay a small stipend, found that seniors not only wanted paid work after retirement, but also paid work that meant something.
The retirees, called ReServists, come from all corners of the business world, according to executive director Claire H.Altman. One paid volunteer is a former SEC attorney who now trains people how to avoid identity theft. An ex-nurse conducts intake exams at a drug abuse treatment program. A retired actor uses his communication skills and verve to convince people that emergency preparedness is important.
The nonprofits or agencies that hire ReServists pay $14 an hour, $10 of which goes directly to the worker. Even nonprofits don't mind paying the fee, Altman said, because they realize that retired people are good workers with a lifetime of experience.
"This is a group that hits the ground running, has the skills to already do the job and is, frankly, low-maintenance," Altman said.
ReServe's success has even caught the attention of local agencies, such as the Baltimore Community Foundation and Baltimore County government officials.
"As the workforce ages, there will be a lot of great talent retiring, and people like us who do human services work - and not-for-profits, too - would love to be able to tap into some of that talent," said Theresa S. Hill, director of human resources for Baltimore County government.
The Baltimore Community Foundation is likewise keeping tabs on programs like ReServe, not only for its immediate purpose, potential long-term results.
"There's evidence to suggest that being active and engaged in the community in part-time work or volunteer work, or in neighborhood-based activities ... prolongs life and keeps people healthier longer," said Kevin Griffin Moreno, program officer for human services at the foundation. "And civically-engaged seniors are enormous assets to their communities."
Moreno said the foundation is considering a variety of plans for tapping into senior potential, but said programs such as those at ReServe and Experience Corps have the right idea.
"People do want to do something meaningful after their exit from the full-time work force, but in Baltimore, we have an older adult population that is over half-minority, in particular, African-Americans. And of the senior population, a lot of them are lower and moderate-income," Moreno said. "Uncompensated volunteerism is not an option."
Shirley Cherry, 70, is an Experience Corps volunteer at Guilford Elementary/Middle School who appreciates the stipend, but says she would be doing something with her life - after 29 years in the billing department at Johns Hopkins -- even without it.
"I said I would never retire," Cherry, of Northwood said. "I'm the type of person, I still feel the need to be out there helping somebody."
tanika.white@baltsun.com
