Illinois Department on Aging Director Margo E. Schreiber hosted an awards luncheon Sept. 19 in honor of the state’s outstanding older workers and their employers. The luncheon, held in Springfield, is an annual event held in conjunction with National Employ the Older Worker Week, Sept. 23-29.
“These individuals define what it is to be an extraordinary employee,” said Schreiber. “They each have a sense of giving that transcends any job duty. They amaze their supervisors, co-workers and the people they serve.”
The theme of this year’s celebration was “Harvesting Experience.”
Awards were presented to older workers who are employed in both public and private sector jobs. Included are those funded through Title V of the Older Americans Act, which serves as a bridge for low-income seniors who are able and want to enter or re-enter the job market. Awards were also given to businesses and companies that make it a practice to employ workers age 55 and older.
Among the winners was Rose Thompson, 64, who was nominated by the Chicago Department on Aging. She began working in a Title V position in 1996 with the Meals on Wheels program and transitioned into a full-time position with the Foster Grandparent Program the following year. She is responsible for monitoring all the sites where grandparents volunteer, which requires much travel. Her nomination states, “Rose is always punctual, rarely misses a day and is dependable...Staff always enjoy working with rose because they know she will complete the job on time and she can work with anyone. She is a great encourager.” The nomination adds that she also sends cards and visits grandparents who are ill. Last year, she was diagnosed with cancer but insisted that her treatments never interfere with work.
Another winner, Antonia DeVaughn, 73, works at the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, which nominated her. According to her nomination, “We are truly blessed to have an employee who treats our clients and visitors with the respect and dignity they all deserve. In addition to performing her work in a professional and courteous manner, Antonia can be relied on to perform any task that is given to her with the assurance that it will be done and done well.” Despite having cancer, DeVaughn maintains a positive attitude and continues to enrich the lives of those she serves. She works in the Lighthouse’s Assistive Devices Center and also volunteers for the deaf-blind program.
“We’re very proud to honor employers who put trust in older workers...demonstrating that older workers are not only up to the job, but often become the most valuable asset in the workplace,” said Schreiber.
For more information, contact the Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 (voice and TTY).
Printable Version