AARP Connecticut 2015 Andrus Award Winner

Each year, AARP Connecticut selects one outstanding volunteer age 50 or older from Connecticut to receive the Andrus Award for Community Service, AARP's most prestigious state volunteer award for community service. The Andrus Award is named for AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus and honors an exceptional Connecticut volunteer age 50 or older who is sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members. This year, we were happy to present the award to Mr. James (Jim) Doran of West Hartford, CT.

The 2015 Andrus Award was formally presented to Doran at a local ceremony on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at West Hartford Town Hall. During the award ceremony, AARP Connecticut donated $3000 on behalf of Doran to the Seniors Job Bank of West Hartford.

Doran was recognized for his leadership in reviving the non-profit Seniors Job Bank (SJB) located in the West Hartford Town Hall, as well as his outstanding efforts to strengthen the local community and help provide seniors with employment security.

According to AARP State Director Nora Duncan, “Jim Doran’s leadership in reviving the Seniors Job bank is having a real and lasting impact on the quality of life for older residents in West Hartford and the greater Hartford region. The program helps older residents remain independent in their own homes, while providing employment opportunities for businesses and individuals in the community. Jim embodies the spirit and determination of AARP’s founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, and through his efforts, has helped improve the lives of countless individuals.”

The Seniors Job Bank (SJB), located in the West Hartford Town Hall, is a non-profit association dedicated to helping seniors through a referral service for “at home service providers” and employment opportunities within the Greater Hartford area. The Seniors Job Bank had been in operation for more than 30 years when it ceased operating in 2008. Convinced that there was a growing need for such services in the town, Doran took it upon himself to create a new strategic business plan for the association, encouraged other supportive and energetic volunteers to serve on a new SJB Board of Directors, and spearheaded fundraising efforts to get the association back up and running.

Today, thanks to Jim Doran, the Seniors Job Bank is managed by an efficient office staff, along with additional assistance from more than 50 volunteers. The program has been hugely successful since its reactivation in 2013, making 2,100 job referrals and signing up over 500 well-qualified seniors who are ready and able to work as Service Providers.

Bob Cave, who serves as Seniors Job Bank President and nominated Jim for the award said, “Jim Doran is a true leader and because of him, the Seniors Job bank is growing stronger each year. The SBJ is proud of and celebrates with Jim as the recipient of the 2015 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.”

For more information about the Seniors Job Bank, visit www.sjbct.org, call 860-521-3210 or email: info@sjbct.org.