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Civic Participation and Employment
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“A study by Statistics Canada shows that people who feel connected to their local community are more likely to report better physical and mental health than those who do not.” (Quality of Life for Seniors in Halton – Today and Tomorrow, page 54) |
Organizations that may fit into this sector:
- All private and public sector employers
- Voluntary sectors
- Governments
- Agencies offering employment services
Older adults continue to have a wealth of experience and wisdom to be shared in both the voluntary and employment sectors of our community. In work settings, older adults are leaders/mentors for others and deserve to be monetarily recognized for their work. In the voluntary sector, older adults are one of the largest segments of our population contributing volunteer hours in a variety of community settings. Employment and volunteering promote a sense of belonging and social engagement and can have positive impacts to the physical, mental and emotional health of older adults. There are additional benefits for an age friendly community located on the introduction page of the website.
- Use the three building blocks to identify the strengths and gaps of your employment /volunteer services/programs:
- Learn about employment and volunteer programs and services currently available in your community
- Use the available resources below to get ideas on potential employment or volunteer programs for your community
Planning Tools Related to Civic Participation and Employment
- World Health Organization Transportation Checklist
- An 8 point checklist of civic participation and employment features for an age friendly community
- Remote and Rural Checklist
- A list of key features, barriers, and suggestions for improving employment and civic participation in age friendly communities
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities – Employment Accessibility Standards
- The most current information about Ontario’s accessibility standards regarding employment for persons with disabilities
Resources for Employers
- The Experience Works Project
- A free pdf resource kit for employees containing strategies for recruiting, retaining, and supporting older adults in the workforce
- Beyond The Workday: Finding Balance For the Working Caregiver
- A resource guide for employers to support caregivers in the workplace
Employment Resources for Older Adults
- The Experience Works Project
- A free pdf resource kit with information about ageism, retirement, and real life stories of experienced workers in the workforce
- Linking Boomers.com
- A website linking individuals 50 plus to work and volunteer opportunities
- Retired Worker
- Ontario based job bank for retired workers looking for employment
- Halton Region - Senior and Employment Fast Facts
- Experience Works
- A not-for-profit charitable association that supports older workers by training them to find jobs in their communities
Volunteer Resources
- Volunteer Canada
- Contains a document as well as additional resources related to volunteering in Canada - The resources page provides excellent resources
- http://www.volunteer50plus.ca/adapt.php
- Baby Boomers: Your New Volunteers:
- An introductory workbook to assist organizations in rethinking their approach to baby boomer volunteers
- Renaissance 50plus
- A number of articles, resources, and information related to volunteering in Canada including two new resource guides, one for agencies about recruiting volunteers and one for older adults interested in meaningful volunteer opportunities
- Engaging 50+volunteers: an agency resource guide
- Attention Boomers: Change the world…again!
- Quality of Life update #3 Social and Civic Engagement (available January 2010)
- Canadian Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating
- a final report from Canada recognizes that seniors provide the highest number of volunteer hours in Canada
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