Foundations deliver additional support to the West Hartford-based Seniors Job Bank.

By Bernie Weiss

The Seniors Job Bank (SJB), aided by a challenge grant announced by the Dornam Foundation late last fall, has raised over $21,000. More than 150 individuals and foundations made large and small gifts that were matched by Dornam.

Dennis Carrithers, SJB co-president said, “Completely aside from the sum we raised, it was gratifying to see that so many contributors turned out to help us accomplish our mission.”

According to Jim Doran, president of the Dornam Foundation, the purposes of the challenge were to establish a rainy day fund for SJB and to motivate potential donors by effectively doubling the impact of their donations.

Separately, the non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that connects people over age 50 seeking work with local businesses and households with jobs to be filled, recently received grants from the William and Alice Mortensen Foundation and the Samuel Roskin Trust at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The Mortensen contribution is earmarked for technology, fundraising and public relations projects, while the $10,000 from the Hartford Foundation will be used for general operating purposes.

Headquartered in West Hartford, the Seniors Job Bank serves seven central Connecticut towns. It maintains a database comprising approximately 500 service providers, all of whom have passed a background check, offering over 300 distinct vocational and professional skills. A client – company, household, or public agency – in need of assistance, upon calling SJB receives information about several service providers qualified to perform the specified tasks. The client evaluates the candidates, then chooses one, with whom compensation is mutually determined. There is no charge to either service provider or client for the referral.

Sheila Diamond, SJB executive director, explained, “We provide talented workers to handle one-time home repair chores and recurring household maintenance tasks (for clients of all ages), personal services such as house sitting, party staffing, and pet related tasks, as well as traditional part- and full-time jobs for large and small businesses and other employers.”

“If you’re over 50 and looking to stay busy and earn some money, or if you manage a business or have a home that needs work done, give us a call at 860-521-3210, email [email protected], or visit www.sjbct.org,” Diamond added.