by Cynthia Germain

When we launched MatchUp in 2024, our goal was simple: connect older adults in Door County with meaningful part-time work while helping businesses create age-friendly workplaces. Now, looking back on our first full year, we can proudly say, we did it—and we did it well!

Last year, MatchUp successfully brought together 55 businesses across 71 locations, covering industries from retail, hospitality, and museums to schools and nonprofits. At the same time, 37 individuals enrolled in the program, looking for opportunities to stay engaged, contribute their skills, and connect with their community. And the best part? 22 of them found a match!

What’s even more exciting is that these were not just short-term gigs. Nearly half of the matches were for year-round positions, proving that employers saw the long-term value in hiring older adults. While seasonal jobs made up about a third of placements, which makes sense in a tourism-driven economy like Door County, the number of longer-term roles showed that businesses were looking for more than just extra hands during the busy season—they wanted experience, reliability, and a strong work ethic.

The majority of participants were between the ages of 60 and 74, demonstrating that older adults are still eager to work and contribute. In fact, 36% of those who found jobs were between 65 and 69, showing that businesses were more than willing to hire experienced older workers. And it wasn’t just about financial need—81% of participants said they wanted to work for a sense of purpose, and 62% saw social connection as a major motivator. Clearly, MatchUp was about more than just jobs—it was about staying engaged and connected to the community.

The types of jobs filled through MatchUp were as diverse as the participants themselves. Nonprofits were the biggest employers, hiring 38% of matched participants, proving that many older adults were eager to give back to mission-driven organizations. Retail and tourism were also well represented, with each industry hiring about 14% of the matches, reflecting the needs of Door County’s economy. Schools also tapped into this workforce, with 10% of participants taking on educational roles, reinforcing the idea that many older adults want to share their knowledge and mentor younger generations.

While we celebrated many wins, we also learned valuable lessons. Word of mouth was a game changer, with nearly a quarter of both businesses and participants joining through personal referrals. This reinforced what we already knew—relationships matter in a close-knit community like Door County. We also saw a growing interest in mentoring and tutoring roles, which has us thinking about expanding MatchUp beyond just employment to include intergenerational learning opportunities.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible leadership of Kris Ingram, who helped build MatchUp from the ground up. Her dedication and hard work laid the foundation for everything we accomplished in 2024. While she’s stepping back from her coordinator role to spend more time with family, we’re thrilled that she’ll still be part of Do Good Door County, assisting with special projects. Thank you, Kris, for everything!

As we look to 2025, we’re excited to introduce Eden DeGenova as our new MatchUp Coordinator. Eden brings a wealth of experience, energy, and enthusiasm, and we can’t wait to see her take MatchUp to the next level. With her leadership, we’ll continue refining our matching process, supporting even more local businesses, and exploring new ways to connect older adults with fulfilling work.

Now we’re taking everything we’ve learned from our first year and using it to make MatchUp even better. We’re exploring ways to streamline our matching process, expand job options, and build stronger partnerships. The demand is there—the enthusiasm is there—and we’re just getting started.

Interested in getting involved? Whether you’re a business looking for reliable employees or an older adult looking for fulfilling work, MatchUp is here for you. Visit our MatchUp page to learn more.

Here’s to another year of meaningful connections and community impact!