Agency hosts major hiring event for older workers while launching campaign to assist 1.3 million family caregivers.
Our Bureau
New York, NY
New York City is stepping up efforts to support older residents and the families who care for them, with the NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) hosting a large employment event for older jobseekers while also launching a citywide campaign to help family caregivers access support services.
On March 11, NYC Aging held its second annual Talent Connect Hiring Hall at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch in Brooklyn, bringing together hundreds of older adults seeking employment with companies and organizations looking to hire experienced workers.
The event connected around 800 older jobseekers with employers, workforce training providers, and community partners, providing opportunities for on-the-spot interviews and career discussions. Participants were able to speak directly with hiring managers, learn about different career pathways, and explore workforce training programs and supportive services designed to help them reenter or remain in the workforce.
Officials said the event reflects a growing focus on expanding opportunities for older New Yorkers, who represent a significant and often underutilized segment of the city’s workforce.
“New York City’s older adults are a workforce to be tapped,” said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. “The experience, resilience, and depth of knowledge they bring to any employer is unmatched. Talent Connect exists to make sure that talent finds its match, and that no one is sidelined simply because of their age.”
Scott-McKenzie said the Hiring Hall demonstrates the city’s commitment to turning that goal into concrete action by directly linking employers with older workers ready to contribute their skills.
Age discrimination and employment barriers remain persistent challenges for many older adults across the United States. Events like the Hiring Hall are designed to address those challenges by creating spaces where employers can meet candidates face-to-face and better understand the value of experienced workers.
The event also included an employer breakfast aimed at fostering collaboration among workforce partners, businesses, and training organizations. Officials said these partnerships are essential to building sustainable pathways to employment for older residents.
City leaders highlighted the broader economic and social benefits of integrating older workers into the labor market.
“Age should never limit opportunity or the ability to contribute,” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “We are proud to work alongside NYC Aging to create direct pathways to jobs for older New Yorkers, whose experience and innovation have the power to revitalize our workforce and city.”
The Brooklyn Public Library, which hosted the event, emphasized its role as a key support hub for jobseekers across the city.
Linda E. Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Public Library, said libraries increasingly provide practical assistance to people navigating employment challenges.
“Brooklyn Public Library has become a critical resource for job seekers across the city,” Johnson said. “We provide practical, hands-on support—from interview preparation and resume workshops to tax assistance and job certification waivers.”
She noted that the large turnout at the Hiring Hall reflected both the demand for employment opportunities and the importance of accessible community institutions.
“While the overwhelming turnout underscores the challenges many New Yorkers face, it also demonstrates the vital role public libraries play as trusted, accessible hubs of support,” Johnson said.
While the Hiring Hall focused on expanding employment opportunities for older adults, NYC Aging is also turning attention to another growing challenge tied to the city’s aging population: supporting family caregivers.
On March 12, the agency announced the launch of a citywide awareness campaign aimed at reaching New York City’s estimated 1.3 million family caregivers. The campaign, titled “You Care for Them, We Care for You,” seeks to inform caregivers about services and resources available through NYC Aging.
Across the city, many residents provide daily care for parents, spouses, grandchildren, neighbors, or friends. These caregivers often balance jobs, family responsibilities, and personal commitments while helping loved ones remain safe and independent at home.
However, officials say many people performing these roles do not identify themselves as caregivers and therefore may not realize they qualify for assistance.
Starting this month, the campaign will appear across multiple platforms including print and digital media, television, radio, and subway advertisements. The goal is to reach caregivers in diverse communities and languages throughout the five boroughs and encourage them to seek information and support.
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga said caregivers frequently face emotional, financial, and physical pressures while trying to support family members.
“Caregivers are stretching themselves physically, emotionally, and financially,” Arteaga said. “Many are cutting back on work, spending down savings, and putting their own health last.”
She said the campaign is designed to ensure that caregivers know help is available through the city’s programs.
NYC Aging’s Caregiver Program provides a range of services intended to reduce the burden on family caregivers. These include counseling, training, support groups, assistance applying for benefits and entitlements, and respite services that offer temporary care for loved ones.
Such support can allow caregivers time to rest, maintain employment, or address their own health needs.
