Ed. Note: Here is feedback from Encore.org member Laura Westenkirchner on her difficulty in finding an encore career. Do you have any advice for her?

I have been through part of your website, and I agree with the premise that people are looking for meaningful employment at retirement or close to it, but I have my doubts about it happening.

I have been looking for meaningful employment for the past 4 years and have been unable to find anything. I would be delighted for any job, that even gives me the modicum of fulfillment. To me, Encore only seems to work if you were highly successful for a great number of years, have adequate retirement funds and are willing to relocate.
People like myself, mostly a mother and a recent graduate of an Associate's degree program have a hard time finding any job at all, much less one like those offered on your job boards. The fact that I am bright, hard working, well read, articulate, able to learn new technologies and willing to do so don't get you a job anymore. There aren't enough jobs for people that have all those attributes and are 30 years younger.

I often see where some socialite wife is starting her own business (stationery store, catering service) and is successful. That's nice, but what if she didn't have a cushy pension, or husband to bail her out if it didn't work out. I find that several of the jobs on your listings are just that, these people were able to make shrewd financial plans based on their good fortune (and choice, I admit that I made the choice to stay at home and raise my children) and now they have the option to spend their remainder of time doing good.

I looked at some of the jobs and many of them are located in metro-urban areas. If I moved to New York City would I be paid enough to live there? Would I be able to bring my two small dogs?

Another objection that I have is that the very people attracted to non-profit (perhaps), meaningful and altruistic employment, often have strong family ties and pets. They are used to sharing their lives with others, and it would be difficult for them to uproot no matter how wonderful the cause. I would like to see seniors and those approaching retirement have more opportunity in their community to continue to contribute in tangible ways and have tangible benefits.

I know that this email is perhaps not the best way to air my sentiments but I would like to see some of this addressed in your forum. I don't think you appeal to the people of limited means that want to help. I do think we should have some national policy for those that wish to continue to receive a paycheck and make a difference. Not something that sends them to the boonies but provides a real, local benefit.