BENTON HARBOR — A workshop for people over the age of 50 is coming to the southwest Michigan region.

Cornerstone Alliance, a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base, is announcing that it will be offering Work for Yourself@50+ workshops throughout the Michiana region.

The workshops are designed to help vulnerable older adults assess opportunities for self-employment, build skills, and connect with resources that will enable them to generate income by working for themselves.

AARP Foundation’s Work for Yourself@50+ will help low- and moderate-income adults age 50 and over gain the knowledge, support and resources they need to make informed decisions and take the right first steps toward successful self-employment, according to organizers.

The 90-minute workshop will walk participants through the Work for Yourself@50+ materials and connect them with local resources to help them reach their goals. AARP Foundation works to ensure that low-income older adults have nutritious food, affordable housing, a steady income, and strong and sustaining social bonds.

The decision to start a business can be both exciting and daunting, organizer said. Work for Yourself@50+ breaks the choices down for older adults in an approachable way through five steps:

• A careful consideration of the potential and perils of working for yourself

• Exercises to help develop the self-employment idea

• A realistic overview of what it takes to pursue a self-employment opportunity

• Guidance to help avoid pitfalls and scams

• Ways to find trustworthy support and services

There will be three workshops offered:

March 20

9 to 11 a.m.

Cornerstone Alliance-Large Conference Room, 80 W. Main Street, Benton Harbor.

March 27

1 to 3 p.m.

Lincoln Township Library-Lawrence Room, 2099 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville.

March 29

12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Road, Coloma.

To learn more about Work for Yourself@ 50+, visit aarpfoundation.org/workforyourself. Contact AARP Foundation at (888) 339-5617 to register for an upcoming workshop. You can also register by calling Cornerstone Alliance at (269) 925-6100.

Work for Yourself@50+ is made possible through a grant from The Hartford. The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at thehartford.com