For Felton SCSEP Participant Assistant Roger Truskonoff, 2020 is looking like a great year so far, and he feels like a lot of that is related to his participation in Felton’s Senior Community Service Employment (SCSEP) program. Just over 12 years ago, the forecast for Roger’s future wasn’t nearly as bright. He was homeless and sleeping on the streets and in shelters before he secured his apartment in May of 2018. With the security of a roof over head, Roger had hopes of getting back into the workforce, but for months he sent out resumes and received no responses.
One day, he went into the Tenderloin and Sixth Street Self-Help Center, where the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) had just presented an informational session and outreach event. Roger saw a flyer for SCSEP posted at the center and took a chance on sending in his cover letter and resume. He enrolled in SCSEP on September 27, 2018.
Within the next several months, he began assisting in the SCSEP main office, gaining valuable customer service and administrative experience. Roger immersed himself in the world of workforce development and says he picked up many key points along the way. At the main office, he began receiving emails about job opportunities and updated his resume with his new SCSEP site and responsibilities. He was able to receive the support system he needed in all areas of workforce development and was able to rebuild his confidence. He remembers receiving his first stipend and investing in a laptop, so that he could continue searching and applying for jobs at home. In the span of several months, he submitted over 100 resumes to employers.
Roger started receiving calls for interviews and stated, “There has been a direct connection between SCSEP and my success. I was applying for jobs prior to being in SCSEP without any success. Suddenly, having this experience on my resume helped me build my confidence in all areas.” He added, “I now know the importance of good leadership. It was very important to have positive mentors in SCSEP that guided and supported me through my journey. That was the key to my success. Everyone at the main office motivated me every step of the way.”
Roger shared his success story at Felton’s 130th Anniversary celebration. You may watch it below:
For more information about Felton’s SCSEP Program that provides workforce training for adults ages 55 and older, please visit felton.org or call 415-4747-7310.
About Felton Institute: Founded in 1889, Felton Institute responds to human needs by providing cutting edge, evidence-based mental health and social services that transform lives. Felton Institute is a tax-exempt organization registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 94-1156530.
Offering more than 50 acclaimed and honored programs that address homelessness, mental health, prenatal, adolescent, adult and senior needs, Felton Institute provides services in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Marin, and Monterey counties.
Felton is named for its social services pioneer and executive director Dr. Katharine “Kitty” Felton who was called the ”conscience of San Francisco” and was committed to ensuring that children and families in crisis have access to social services and resources in order to help them build upon their inherent strengths and develop self-sufficiency. www.felton.org