Linking People with
Helpful Benefits
Poverty among older people remains a
serious and persistent problem in the
United States. Nearly one in 10 adults
age 65 and older live in poverty. Some
3. 7 million older Americans do not
have enough money to meet their basic
needs.
Charles Talley volunteers to help 50+
workers assess their skills and find jobs.
Harper credits Charles for helping
her set goals—and meet them. “He
held me accountable, but in a very
supportive way.”
Charles encouraged her to apply to be
director of development at a private
school in which she had expressed
interest. Even though she didn’t
have direct fundraising experience,
her cover letter highlighted how her
marketing skills and network could
lead the school to new, untapped
funding sources. Intrigued, the school
hired her.
“Benefits QuickLink is one-stop shopping for people
searching for benefits and
services they may need to
live a quality life. Navigating
through the maze of public
benefit programs can be
confusing for people, and
many don’t know what’s
available.”
—Jeremiah Mora, an AARP Colorado staff
member who also volunteers for The
Center, a GLBT organization.
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Sadly, many low-income seniors are
not aware of the benefits available to
help them buy food, pay rent or keep
the heat and lights on. Our Benefits
Outreach Program helped turn despair
into hope for thousands of people.
She was surprised and pleased when
Charles went the extra mile by linking
her up with someone in the Twin Cities
area who had a great deal of school
fundraising experience.
This poignant letter from a West
Virginia woman (whom we’ll call Jo, to
protect her privacy) explains how our
program helps people get the help they
need to live with dignity.
Harper persuaded the school to try out
new ways to raise money. She notes,
“When you think of it, that’s what
Charles Talley and WorkSearch did for
me. They brought me a whole different
viewpoint, and I’m so happy they did.”
