WPCNR SENIOR CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. January 30, 2006: Reports last week that the 78 Westchester  seniors participating in training jobs in Westchester County,  funded by SER of Westchester would lose their jobs are false.

Ruth Espinoza, interim Manager of SER of Westchester. Espinoza said her staff at 171 East Post Road has been contacting the 78 seniors participating in the jobs training program assuring them they still have their training jobs, the SER organization still has funding for the program, and the program will continue.

False reports had circulated among seniors holding the training positions last week that their jobs would be ending abruptly.

Ms. Espinoza of SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc., in Dallas, Texas,  is in White Plains managing the SER of Westchester program, taking over for Eugene Rodriguez as Executive Director who abruptly reseigned the position ten days ago.

Espinoza told WPCNR that the Department of Labor is still funding the SER program and will continue to do so. She said SER of Westchester is now being taken over by SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc. She reports that she is conducting a series of meetings this week to reorganize and inform participants on SER's future. Espinosa reports to WPCNR that persons in the program will be helped to find permanent jobs using the training they are now receiving, and will be placed. SER is also accepting new senior applicants for training positions. For more information, seniors may call SER at 914-681-0996.

Espinoza noted to WPCNR that SER is designed to be a training program to equip persons over 55 to work in the modern office, with the goal of helping the seniors get a permanent job. Espinoza said it is SER's goal to place persons in training in permanent jobs, not have them stay in training positions perpetually.