When COVID-19 upended the world in 2020, it also reshaped Norma Trevino’s life. At 66, she abruptly retired from her career in accounting and administration. While she had her beloved 11-year-old Yorkie and hobbies like embroidery and cooking to keep her occupied, the pandemic’s isolation exposed a truth about Norma: Community was the cornerstone of her active, engaged lifestyle. As daily connections and meaningful work disappeared, Norma faced an unexpected challenge – how to maintain her sense of purpose in a world on pause.
“Two years after my retirement,” she reveals, “I wanted to find a job because inactivity was heavily affecting my mood.” Although many retirees return to the workforce out of financial necessity, for Norma it was a desire for the sense of purpose and community that a job can provide.
Her daughter, also named Norma, describes her mother as fiercely independent. “When she first started looking, she was very frustrated that she couldn’t find a job. She has more than 40 years of experience.”
With her computer skills, administrative experience, and the fact that she also speaks Spanish, Norma expected an easy job hunt. She filled out applications for a variety of retail positions and when she didn’t get hired, she began to think it might be due to her age. Undaunted, she decided to move her search online.
That’s when she found the AARP Foundation Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) and the phone number for her local office in Edinburg, Texas. SCSEP matches eligible jobseekers who are over 55 with local nonprofits and public agencies so they can increase their skills and build self-confidence while earning a modest income. It sounded good to Norma, so she called the program director of the Edinburg office.
The very next day, Norma interviewed with SCSEP. Her employment specialist, Ricardo Cárdenas, guided her through skill-refreshing courses and potential workplaces. Within two weeks, Norma started at the Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center in McAllen.
Quinta Mazatlán is an urban sanctuary that educates visitors about birds, plants and the environment in South Texas. For Norma, the job was a dream come true. She works in the museum and gift shop and assists the children’s program coordinator. She especially enjoys connecting with children during camp sessions, which are bilingual and feature nature and conservation. “The most challenging part of starting my current job was integrating into a team where everyone is much younger than me.” Still, Norma says the job has made her feel younger and healthier.