SECTION D In conclusion, we wish to thank you Senator Nelson and the other members of the Senate and House and Secretary Melvin Laird for establishing and funding the Mainstream program which has been the most successful program among all the adult anti-poverty and manpower programs. It certainly meets head-on the cry of the poor that they want a job not a handout. Mainstream or as it was called for the first 2 years, the Nelson Admendment Program has been requested by more rural communities than any other program. It is the one anti-poverty and manpower program which nas helped the older people in poverty. This group constitutes 1/3 of those in poverty. It is the one manpower program which is not only neavily used in rural America, but it is liked universally. The rural poor represents 1/2 of the poor. It is now time to move from the experimental to the operational level for this program. It has proved itself through Green Thumb, Community Senior Citizens programs, through CAA mainstream operations, and in concert with other manpower programs. In a time of economic recession, the cry is even louder. People want jobs, not handouts or welfare. They want an opportunity to prove that they are useful and can do work. Mainstream provides them with this chance and we in America need their talents if we are to have the "Good America for all." Green Thumb has been the largest mainstream program. We have helped show the way to employment for many and have helped the social and economic development of many of our rural communities which have become depressed over the years by low farm prices and other economic and social problems. We find the poor in every rural county. Older and retired rural people who want an opportunity to work their way out of poverty. These are the things that we have found in our efforts In serving our over 185 rural counties through our Green Thumb, Green Lignt and On-the-Job Training programs. We have made a major breakthrough in job development through our OJT Program. No longer can Green Thumb be called a dead-end job. The older and retired low-income person does constitute a sizable proportion of the poor and especially the rural poor. Whereas 20 years ago, about 1/2 of the people over 65 worked, only 1/4 work today. The one group among the poor that is increasing numerically and percentage-wise is the elderly. Even under the best public welfare programs less than 1/5 of the older poor go on welfare. Social Security barely keeps pace and flat percentage increases in social security tend to help the person with the highest social security, most of which are those generally less in need. Private pension plans simply are either non-existant in the countryside or insignificant. Public policy, pension plans and age discrimination have cut the number of older workers in half in a little over 20 years. Age discrimination has become so serious that the vast majority of older people simply do not even botner going back to the employment service and give up. The vast majority of our Green Thumbers were not even registered with the local employment service before they heard about Green Thumb. The fact is that in the collection of national unemployment figures, unemployment among the older workers is not counted because they don't register even when they are poor and want a job. They want work, not a handout. This year between 25% and 30% of the actual voters will be over age 60 and over half will be over 45, many face retirement and old age with inadequate incomes. It is time to move to do something about this problem. Besides, America needs their skills and their energies There is a very warm and touching human side to our Green Thumb program and what it has meant to these people. In Nebraska lives an older and retired low-income farmer with his wife and two sons, plus mentally retarded twin daughters in a hospital. Fred is employed by Green Thumb. This job has helped keep him off welfare, enabled him to fix his house, pay his taxes, and hold his head up high when he went downtown in this small rural community. Because of the job he is even able to contribute something toward the care of their two mentally retarded children. Another man employed by Green Thumb in Sanpete County, Utan, has raised twelve children, and for forty years farmed his land. He has given his kids a good education. When the later years rolled around, his savings and Social Security have been insufficient to make ends meet. Farm prices and operating costs were such that he could no longer carry out his farming activities; bills piled up; he used up his savings of a lifetime. When his savings were gone he faced welfare and reluctantly decided that he had to accept it for the good of the children remaining at home. His health began to decline and life looked grim. Then came along a real chance for a job through the Green Thumb program. He eats better and works better. His wife is particularly thankful because they now not only can pay their bills but there is a bit of fun and humor around the home. In Indiana a man over in Jefferson County is proud of his job with Green Thumb. The money he receives from his job is used to buy medicine for himself and his wife, and buy the essentials of life. He feels better, too, rather than "lying around all day", he enjoys the members of his crew. He happens to be ninety and hopes to work until he is one hundred. In upstate rural New York, a man lived in a damp basement of a tavern before starting Green Thumb work. His income had been only $50 a month from Social Security. With Green Thumb work, he was able to buy a trailer and the necessary food and medicines. He feels better, is self sufficient, and is a part of his community. Glenn Waldron of Machias, New York, who was badly injured in an automobile accident in 1957, was incapacitated for eleven years. Unable to work and unable to supply his family with the minimum necessities, he then got a chance to go to work with Green Thumb. Even though it was difficult to pass the physical, he made it. On the first day he was selected as a foreman. He says, "At that time I began the conversion from the deep despair of eleven years to a useful, salary earning once again, human being." "Green Thumb", he says, "is the greatest therapy program for elderly men that has ever been created". He has progressed to the point where he is now the state field representative for the New York State Green Thumb project. Following are two letters written to our Minnesota Green Light State Director by Green Light workers: "I will tell you what I did with my money. I bought four hours, it makes my life happier. so lonely. I like my work. Sincerely, /s/Mathilda M. Keil" I "This may not be the proper heading to use to write We came to the Green Thumb office in Wadena and I The job that I was later assigned to in the used I know I am helping needy people. To sort, patch, I know the recipients of the clothing are appreciated Keep the Green Light program going, and I hope it will Sincerely, /s/ Mrs. Adella Anderson |