Spring Cohort
- March 3, 2026
- March 10, 2026
- March 17, 2026
- March 24, 2026
A program of Harvest Hill Community Services
NextChapter Works
Individualized employment and training support for adults 55 and better in the greater Kelsonville area.
To apply, email us your name and phone number: intake@harvesthill-demo.example
We return messages in the order they are received.
About the program
NextChapter Works pairs each participant with a dedicated coordinator who stays with you from your first phone call onward. Your coordinator gets to know your work history, the hours you are hoping for, and the things you would rather leave behind — and then helps you put together a plan that reflects all of it. There is no single track through the program. Some neighbors come to us knowing exactly what they want next; others are still deciding, and that is welcome too.
Participants attend job readiness workshops in small cohorts, where the group covers résumés, interviewing, and the parts of a modern job search that have changed since many of us last looked for work. Cohorts stay small on purpose. People tell us the group itself ends up being half the value — a room of neighbors going through the same thing at the same time. Priority is given to neighbors with the greatest need.
Beyond the workshops, your coordinator can help you look into training that fits your goals, whether that means a short certificate, a refresher on software you already half-know, or a credential an employer has told you they would like to see. NextChapter Works operates in partnership with regional partners, which allows us to connect participants with opportunities beyond what our own staff can offer directly.
Upcoming cohort dates
Workshops meet at the Harvest Hill Community Room unless your coordinator tells you otherwise.
Fall Cohort
- September 9, 2026
- September 16, 2026
- September 23, 2026
- September 30, 2026
*Participants must attend all workshop dates in the cohort they have been accepted into. Each workshop is two hours.
Eligibility requirements
- 55 years or better
- Resident of the area we serve
- Able and willing to participate in individual and group activities related to employment
How to apply
Applications are handled by email. Send us a note that includes your name, a phone number where we can reach you during the day, and a sentence or two about the kind of work you are hoping to find.
nextchapter@harvesthill-demo.example
A staff member will follow up to talk through next steps and let you know which cohort you have been placed in. Please allow time during busy periods.
Referrals accepted from partner agencies.
For employers
Employers across the greater Kelsonville area tell us the same thing: they are looking for people who show up. Workers 55 and better bring decades of accumulated judgment to the floor, the desk, and the front counter — the kind of judgment that turns an unfamiliar problem into a solved one without a supervisor being called over.
Reliability is the trait employers name most often. Seasoned workers tend to have settled schedules, established transportation, and a professional habit of treating a shift as a commitment. That steadiness has a way of raising the standard for everyone on the schedule.
And then there is mentorship. A veteran employee who is willing to show a newer colleague how the work is actually done is worth more than the hours on their timecard. Many of our participants say passing along what they know is part of why they want to keep working at all.
If your organization is hiring, we would welcome a conversation about what you are looking for.
Frequently asked questions
What do the workshops cover?
Workshops cover résumé writing, interview practice, online job applications, and how to talk about a long work history in a way that lands with today's hiring managers. Sessions are discussion-based, and there is time set aside for questions about your own search.
Is there a cost to participate?
There is no cost to participants. The workshops, the one-on-one coordinator meetings, and the planning support are all provided at no charge.
How long do I have to complete the 80-hour virtual training?
Most participants finish the 80-hour virtual training within eight to twelve weeks of enrollment. The modules are self-paced, and your hours are logged automatically as you complete each section. If you fall behind, contact your assigned staff member before the reporting deadline.
Do I have to submit my personal story of recovery?
A written personal story of recovery is requested as part of the intake packet, but you decide how much detail to include. Your story is reviewed only by program staff and is not shared outside the review committee.
When are the milestone stipends paid?
Milestone stipends are issued upon completing Phase 2. Payment is processed after your file has been reviewed and typically arrives within three to four weeks of the completion date being recorded.