SAGEWorks Brings Employment Boot Camp to LGBT Elders

Are you an older LGBT, struggling with lack of up-to-date computer skills, an absence from the job market, or a rusty resume? If you need the skills to make it in a job market that can be stacked against older workers, SAGEWorks is just what you need!

On January 12, SAGEWorks will hold its third Employment Boot Camp in New York City. The program is an intensive training course designed to provide participants with essential skills that will help them in job hunting. Although the Boot Camp is only available in New York City, SAGEWorks currently provides senior LGBT job seeking services in six U.S. cities: New York, Chicago, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Philadelphia and Palm Springs, California.

"We learned so many different things that I was actually able to use," said Ross Addison about the SAGE Works Bootcamp. "I met yesterday for a chat with the owner of a very successful Manhattan restaurant and I used the tools that I learned here, related to networking and methods of interviewing, summing up one's achievements so you can speak to one's experience and how you can help an particular employer, what you can do to aid their organization. I was able to do all that because I had it fresh in my mind, and employed it without fully feeling prepared, but in essence I was. This program prepared me for what ended up being a successful job interview."

Employment Boot Camp is a two-week intensive training program for 4.5 hours each day, aimed at job seekers aged 40 and up. Applicants should be highly motivated in their search for employment. Basic computer skills are required. The SAGEWorks Employment Boot Camp is free and is held at The SAGE Center in Manhattan. Although the target is the LGBT community, the program is open to all.

SAGEWorks is made possible through the generous support of the Walmart Foundation. Community partners include AARP, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Good Temps, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce NY, ACCES-VR, ReServe, LGBT Community Center of NYC, Older Adults Technology Services, Operation HOPE Financial Dignity Center and the New York Legal Assistance Group.

Howard Leifman will serve as the Boot Camp instructor. A Career and Executive Coach/Psychotherapist, Leifman has been working with individuals and organizations for over 20 years assisting them in their careers. He currently works with a number of consulting firms and their clients, as well as managing a private practice and teaching at NYU.

Enrollment in a Boot Camp is through an application process. In order to be considered, potential candidates are required to complete the registration form. Candidates who are not selected for the Boot Camp can still access other SAGEWorks services, such as one-on-one job coaching and workshops. SAGEWorks also offers resume reviews, computer skills classes for a range of levels, networking opportunities and targeted job listings through AARP Foundation's WorkSearch.

Upcoming workshops in New York City include the Jan. 26 forum, "Career Transition: How to Enjoy and Be Empowered By the Process of Changing Jobs," featuring Life and Career Coach Russ Terry. On Jan. 27, Dr. Howard Leifman, nationally renowned Human Resource/Training Consultant will lead the workshop, "Uncover the Hidden Job Market." Both are free and available at the SAGE Center.

SAGEWorks is a national employment support program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people age 40 and older that expands participants' job hunting skills and career options, and connects employers to diverse high-caliber candidates. Recognizing the importance of remaining employed and fulfilled in today's competitive job market, SAGEWorks provides hands-on workshops, technology training and personal coaching at various sites nationwide.

The SAGEWorks Employment Boot Camp is free and is held at The SAGE Center, 305 7th Avenue, in Manhattan. The next session starts January 12. The two-week program runs Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To apply for Employment Boot Camp, visit http://sage.business-access.com/sage.

For more information, visit sageusa.org/sageworks