The Mature Workforce Forum and Job Fair: An Interview with NY State Senator Robert Jackson and Hope Kaye.

On October 4th Next for Me is joining NY State Senator Robert Jackson, Silvernest, and AARP for a event “The Mature Workplace Forum and Job Fair” at Riverstone Senior Life Services Center 99 Fort Washington Ave, New York. Senator Jackson started as School Board President where through his strong advocacy with the “Campaign for Fiscal Equity” the system was awarded with $16B for NY City Schools. During his 12 years on the City Council he sponsored the Small Business Jobs Survival Act and fought for justice and equality; and now as a State Senator is championing public education, workers rights, climate justice, gun safety, and more. Hope Kaye is one of Senator Jackson’s constituents. At 57 as part of a reorganization with her employer of 25 years she was let go and her story of her way back to stable employment took many turns. She chronicles her endless online job applications, counselors, LinkedIn and resume upgrades, (even knocking off 10 years of her experience,) and depression. There was at last a break and she joined a firm that welcomed her into their intergenerational team. Then, another reorg and another long and disappointing search. Finally she was offered a job at $15,000 less than she had been making, but she is glad she has landed, for now. We welcome Senator Jackson and Ms. Kaye in this interview posting later today.