Experience Works: Putting Seniors’ Experience to Work Since 1965

Experience Works is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit provider of training and employment services to people age 55 and older.

In addition to the age requirement, to be eligible to participate in Experience Works an individual must be unemployed and meet income guidelines. Participants are placed in a paid training assignments an average of 20 hours a week. Locations such as schools, public libraries, clothing banks, nonprofit nursing homes or senior centers provide an opportunity for Experience Works participants to learn new skills and prepare for the job market. Participants are matched with a training site based on their interest, experience and employment goal.

Experience Works was originally called Green Thumb and was created in 1965 as part of President Johnson’s war on poverty. Originally, the program utilized unemployed farmers in community betterment projects. Through the years the program has expanded to include participants from virtually all walks of life. In 2002 the name changed to Experience Works to better reflect the mission of the organization.

Experience Works provides services in 38 states and Puerto Rico. Headquarters for the organization are in Arlington, Virginia.

The program got its start in Missouri in 1972 and served seven southwest Missouri counties, including Dallas County. The first state office was in Jefferson City, but relocated to Buffalo in 1974 when Gene Lester was state director. Janice Bramwell has been the director of the Missouri program since 1990, and is also the director for the Illinois program. Experience Works has expanded throughout the state and now serves 90 of Missouri’s 114 counties. Last year, nearly 1,000 Missouri residents were served through the program.

Funding for Experience Works is provided by a grant from the US Department of Labor, and donations. Services are provided at no charge to those who qualify.

Training opportunities are available throughout Missouri. The telephone number for the Buffalo Office is 417-345-2797 and it is located in the north end of the Woods Shopping Center. More information is available on-line at www.experienceworks.org