April 2014 JOBS Link
Content
Calhoun County Department of Human Resources
Volume XIV, Issue 2 April 2014
JOBS Link
J OBS PROGR AM ST AFF
Ken Coleman Program Supervisor (256) 240-2130 Curley Davis JOBS/PA Supervisor (256) 240-2040 Sheena Knight Case Manager (256) 240-2036 Misty Pruett Case Manager (256) 240-2034 Nicole Truss Case Manager (256) 240-2035 Catherine Akles Case Aide (256) 240-2037 Beulah Howard Case Aide (256) 240-2038 Sharolyn Hunter Administrative Support (256) 240-2151 E-mail is [email protected]
February Task Force Meeting Notes
At the JOBS Task Force meeting held Thursday, February 20, 2014, Ms. Maudine Holloway, Executive Director of Community Enabler Developer, Inc., spoke to the assembly about the work done by her agency. Community Enabler provides emergency food and clothing to individuals and families in need. They also supply household items, toiletries, furniture, and appliances to people who have been victimized by fire or domestic violence. Community Enabler has a Senior Citizen Advocacy Referral project, and they serve as a distribution point for school supplies each fall. The Sable Learning Center in Hobson City is operated by Community Enabler. The Sable Center offers programs that cover topics like conflict resolution, crime and drug prevention, and leadership development. Staff and volunteers help children with homework and computer skills. The Center’s mission is to help youth “develop selfawareness and the courage to help themselves.” Ms. Holloway states that the agency is to hire a
nutritionist to assist with feeding programs at the Sable Learning Center and to have nutrition classes for those seeking emergency food services. Ms. Holloway also envisions implementation of sewing classes to help young mothers learn to better care for their families. Ms. Holloway states that anyone in need and without resources for providing for themselves can qualify for assistance, but the organization does use the Charity Tracker program to curtail fraudulent use of their services and accepts most of their referrals through Family Services. Community Enabler is moving into a new facility donated by the Carpenter United Methodist Church and the local Methodist conference. Moving has
been a slow process, but thanks to many donations of time and money from members of the community, the agency has been able to make the transition without accruing a large debt. Ms. Holloway states that it is “sometimes hard to love people where they are, but you’ve got to.” She expresses this ideal as the heart of Community Enabler’s mission. The agency has four full-time employees, as well as a part-time worker. They are always accepting donations of items, money, and time. For more information regarding Community Enabler Developer, Inc., and their services, please, contact Ms. Holloway at (256) 237-6144 or at [email protected].
Page 2
JOBS Link
JOBS Gets Technical
By Misty Pruett Recently, Calhoun County DHR was privileged to be a part of an outstanding training designed to assist non-profit organizations with promotion through Social Media. Social Media for Not-for-Profits was presented by Alabama Power Communications Specialist and Emmy winner, Ike Pigott. Mr. Pigott brought with him considerable knowledge of social media outlets, combined with an enthusiasm for updating how organizations communicate. Two members of the TANF unit, Jay Morehouse and Misty Pruett, attended the training in order to gain more information about Social Media venues for the JOBS program. They took away from the training a more thorough knowledge of various opportunities to promote the JOBS and Community Employment (CEMP) programs through trending online outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. Currently, Jay and Misty are working on developing a Facebook page to promote the CEMP program. It is the goal of the JOBS unit to utilize this page to share information with current and potential CEMP providers regarding program successes, needs, and opportunities. The JOBS unit is excited about the potential of using Facebook to reach a wider community base and to provide easier access to information about the program.
Jay and Misty are working on developing a Facebook page to promote the Community Employment program.
Class Offers Community Job Search Training
By Sheena Knight Most of you who are familiar to our program understand the importance we place on finding and, more importantly, keeping employment. The Alabama State Department of Human Resources allows us to team with our local Gadsden State Community College Adult Education program to offer a JOBS Readiness class to our clients and for those who meet economic criteria in the local community. Class is held at the county office each weekday, and a new class begins each month. The class is supplemented with additional job search days held at the GSCC campus and Cheaha Career Center. Students have the opportunity for up to 35 weekly hours of contact for completing successful steps at finding employment as well as increasing their job retention skills when employment opportunities continue to be scarce. The class is instructed by two long-term, polished professionals in the education field, Mrs. Georgia Kelley and Mrs. Davita Higgins. They seek to motivate and educate the students in a positive and productive environment in order to enable these individuals to achieve both their professional and personal goals when facing more barriers and odds than the normal job seeker. They give insight to not only employability skills such as completing correct job applications, creating a winning resume, and first impression at interviews, but also lifelong skills such as self-esteem and confidence, developing good communication skills, and improving problem-solving skills. Whether the students are mandatory to attend, or choose to attend, the class offers an invaluable experience and long term effect on those individuals in the community getting a jump start on their motivation to find and keep satisfactory employment. For more information on our JOBS Readiness class, contact the JOBS Program at 256-240-2021.
JOBS Link
Page 3
Refresher Class Yields Results
By Nicole Truss Ms. Jones*, a single mother of 4, has been in the JOBS Program for a few years. She has participated in CEMP and completed many job searches that left her feeling as though she was not getting anywhere. Her case manager suggested that she attend the JOBS Readiness class in February. Although Ms. Jones had already completed the JOBS Readiness class previously, her case manager convinced her to give it another try, telling her to think of it as a refresher course. After completing the class, she landed a job with a manufacturing company almost immediately. She continues to work closely with her case manager to ensure that she retains the employment, but Ms. Jones and her case manager are confident that she is on her way to self-sufficiency.
confidentiality.
Although Ms. Jones was frustrated with taking the class again, she showed up *Name changed due to daily with an open mind.
Serving up Success
JOBS has long partnered with the Anniston Soup Bowl in placing volunteers. Karen* started volunteering in August 2014 after a long stretch of being unemployed. Karen had placed many applications without success. A major impediment for Karen was lack of transportation. Because of this, her case manager found a volunteer site on the trolley route—Anniston Soup Bowl. Even in the first month, Kim Beckett, Director of the Anniston Soup Bowl, expressed her appreciation for Karen, writing positive reviews on Karen’s attendance forms. This continued month to month until the end of the placement. In the last month of Karen’s placement, Ms. Beckett was able to convince the Soup Bowl’s Board of Directors to offer Karen permanent employment. Ms. Beckett states that Karen’s dedication and hard work as a volunteer demonstrated that she would be an excellent worker. Congratulations, Karen! We are so happy for you.
*Name changed due to confidentiality.
Gadsden State Community College Adult Education program offers a JOBS Readiness class to our clients and to those who meet economic criteria in the local community.
Participation Rate Update
So far this fiscal year, the JOBS Program has exceeded its goal of a minimum fifty percent of participants in countable activities with a rate of 51.08%. JOBS Readiness classes and Community Employment (CEMP) placements have contributed to this accomplishment, and more participants are securing employment as a result of the skills developed during these activities. The JOBS Unit is continuing to develop more resources for participants as well as foster relationships with local employers willing to extend opportunities to JOBS participants. Thank you for your assistance. If you are aware of a business or organization that could benefit by partnering with JOBS, please, contact us with information.
Page 4
JOBS Link Our Mission
The JOBS Program’s mission is to help families stay together and succeed by encouraging participants to pursue their goals and by assisting with their transition into the workforce. We promote education and employment skills as key to self-sufficiency and success.
Calhoun County Department of Human Resources th 411 West 11 Street PO Box 1869 Anniston, AL 36202
Phone (256) 240-2120 Fax (256) 240-2144
Feel free to contact any member of our staff for further information.
For information about any DHR program, see
http://www.dhr.state.al.us/
Upcoming Events
The next JOBS Task Force meeting will be held at noon on Thursday, May, 15, 2014, at the Calhoun County Department of Human Resources building. The menu will include fried chicken. Please, contact any member of JOBS staff for more information or if you would like to speak at a future Task Force meeting. As always, we appreciate your interest and look forward to seeing you soon!
Volume XIV, Issue 2 April 2014
JOBS Link
J OBS PROGR AM ST AFF
Ken Coleman Program Supervisor (256) 240-2130 Curley Davis JOBS/PA Supervisor (256) 240-2040 Sheena Knight Case Manager (256) 240-2036 Misty Pruett Case Manager (256) 240-2034 Nicole Truss Case Manager (256) 240-2035 Catherine Akles Case Aide (256) 240-2037 Beulah Howard Case Aide (256) 240-2038 Sharolyn Hunter Administrative Support (256) 240-2151 E-mail is [email protected]
February Task Force Meeting Notes
At the JOBS Task Force meeting held Thursday, February 20, 2014, Ms. Maudine Holloway, Executive Director of Community Enabler Developer, Inc., spoke to the assembly about the work done by her agency. Community Enabler provides emergency food and clothing to individuals and families in need. They also supply household items, toiletries, furniture, and appliances to people who have been victimized by fire or domestic violence. Community Enabler has a Senior Citizen Advocacy Referral project, and they serve as a distribution point for school supplies each fall. The Sable Learning Center in Hobson City is operated by Community Enabler. The Sable Center offers programs that cover topics like conflict resolution, crime and drug prevention, and leadership development. Staff and volunteers help children with homework and computer skills. The Center’s mission is to help youth “develop selfawareness and the courage to help themselves.” Ms. Holloway states that the agency is to hire a
nutritionist to assist with feeding programs at the Sable Learning Center and to have nutrition classes for those seeking emergency food services. Ms. Holloway also envisions implementation of sewing classes to help young mothers learn to better care for their families. Ms. Holloway states that anyone in need and without resources for providing for themselves can qualify for assistance, but the organization does use the Charity Tracker program to curtail fraudulent use of their services and accepts most of their referrals through Family Services. Community Enabler is moving into a new facility donated by the Carpenter United Methodist Church and the local Methodist conference. Moving has
been a slow process, but thanks to many donations of time and money from members of the community, the agency has been able to make the transition without accruing a large debt. Ms. Holloway states that it is “sometimes hard to love people where they are, but you’ve got to.” She expresses this ideal as the heart of Community Enabler’s mission. The agency has four full-time employees, as well as a part-time worker. They are always accepting donations of items, money, and time. For more information regarding Community Enabler Developer, Inc., and their services, please, contact Ms. Holloway at (256) 237-6144 or at [email protected].
Page 2
JOBS Link
JOBS Gets Technical
By Misty Pruett Recently, Calhoun County DHR was privileged to be a part of an outstanding training designed to assist non-profit organizations with promotion through Social Media. Social Media for Not-for-Profits was presented by Alabama Power Communications Specialist and Emmy winner, Ike Pigott. Mr. Pigott brought with him considerable knowledge of social media outlets, combined with an enthusiasm for updating how organizations communicate. Two members of the TANF unit, Jay Morehouse and Misty Pruett, attended the training in order to gain more information about Social Media venues for the JOBS program. They took away from the training a more thorough knowledge of various opportunities to promote the JOBS and Community Employment (CEMP) programs through trending online outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. Currently, Jay and Misty are working on developing a Facebook page to promote the CEMP program. It is the goal of the JOBS unit to utilize this page to share information with current and potential CEMP providers regarding program successes, needs, and opportunities. The JOBS unit is excited about the potential of using Facebook to reach a wider community base and to provide easier access to information about the program.
Jay and Misty are working on developing a Facebook page to promote the Community Employment program.
Class Offers Community Job Search Training
By Sheena Knight Most of you who are familiar to our program understand the importance we place on finding and, more importantly, keeping employment. The Alabama State Department of Human Resources allows us to team with our local Gadsden State Community College Adult Education program to offer a JOBS Readiness class to our clients and for those who meet economic criteria in the local community. Class is held at the county office each weekday, and a new class begins each month. The class is supplemented with additional job search days held at the GSCC campus and Cheaha Career Center. Students have the opportunity for up to 35 weekly hours of contact for completing successful steps at finding employment as well as increasing their job retention skills when employment opportunities continue to be scarce. The class is instructed by two long-term, polished professionals in the education field, Mrs. Georgia Kelley and Mrs. Davita Higgins. They seek to motivate and educate the students in a positive and productive environment in order to enable these individuals to achieve both their professional and personal goals when facing more barriers and odds than the normal job seeker. They give insight to not only employability skills such as completing correct job applications, creating a winning resume, and first impression at interviews, but also lifelong skills such as self-esteem and confidence, developing good communication skills, and improving problem-solving skills. Whether the students are mandatory to attend, or choose to attend, the class offers an invaluable experience and long term effect on those individuals in the community getting a jump start on their motivation to find and keep satisfactory employment. For more information on our JOBS Readiness class, contact the JOBS Program at 256-240-2021.
JOBS Link
Page 3
Refresher Class Yields Results
By Nicole Truss Ms. Jones*, a single mother of 4, has been in the JOBS Program for a few years. She has participated in CEMP and completed many job searches that left her feeling as though she was not getting anywhere. Her case manager suggested that she attend the JOBS Readiness class in February. Although Ms. Jones had already completed the JOBS Readiness class previously, her case manager convinced her to give it another try, telling her to think of it as a refresher course. After completing the class, she landed a job with a manufacturing company almost immediately. She continues to work closely with her case manager to ensure that she retains the employment, but Ms. Jones and her case manager are confident that she is on her way to self-sufficiency.
confidentiality.
Although Ms. Jones was frustrated with taking the class again, she showed up *Name changed due to daily with an open mind.
Serving up Success
JOBS has long partnered with the Anniston Soup Bowl in placing volunteers. Karen* started volunteering in August 2014 after a long stretch of being unemployed. Karen had placed many applications without success. A major impediment for Karen was lack of transportation. Because of this, her case manager found a volunteer site on the trolley route—Anniston Soup Bowl. Even in the first month, Kim Beckett, Director of the Anniston Soup Bowl, expressed her appreciation for Karen, writing positive reviews on Karen’s attendance forms. This continued month to month until the end of the placement. In the last month of Karen’s placement, Ms. Beckett was able to convince the Soup Bowl’s Board of Directors to offer Karen permanent employment. Ms. Beckett states that Karen’s dedication and hard work as a volunteer demonstrated that she would be an excellent worker. Congratulations, Karen! We are so happy for you.
*Name changed due to confidentiality.
Gadsden State Community College Adult Education program offers a JOBS Readiness class to our clients and to those who meet economic criteria in the local community.
Participation Rate Update
So far this fiscal year, the JOBS Program has exceeded its goal of a minimum fifty percent of participants in countable activities with a rate of 51.08%. JOBS Readiness classes and Community Employment (CEMP) placements have contributed to this accomplishment, and more participants are securing employment as a result of the skills developed during these activities. The JOBS Unit is continuing to develop more resources for participants as well as foster relationships with local employers willing to extend opportunities to JOBS participants. Thank you for your assistance. If you are aware of a business or organization that could benefit by partnering with JOBS, please, contact us with information.
Page 4
JOBS Link Our Mission
The JOBS Program’s mission is to help families stay together and succeed by encouraging participants to pursue their goals and by assisting with their transition into the workforce. We promote education and employment skills as key to self-sufficiency and success.
Calhoun County Department of Human Resources th 411 West 11 Street PO Box 1869 Anniston, AL 36202
Phone (256) 240-2120 Fax (256) 240-2144
Feel free to contact any member of our staff for further information.
For information about any DHR program, see
http://www.dhr.state.al.us/
Upcoming Events
The next JOBS Task Force meeting will be held at noon on Thursday, May, 15, 2014, at the Calhoun County Department of Human Resources building. The menu will include fried chicken. Please, contact any member of JOBS staff for more information or if you would like to speak at a future Task Force meeting. As always, we appreciate your interest and look forward to seeing you soon!
