At least a “couple of times a week,” Richard E. Brown visits the downtown Kokomo/Howard County Public Library to read the classifieds in search of work.
Since April, he’s been laid off from an Indianapolis manufacturing job. He and his wife, Michelle, are living with her parents in Kokomo.
Brown, 35, wants to go back to school to get more education in hopes it will lead to a better job, but he said “our money is tight. I am looking for a way to make a way. It’s hard out here.”
Perhaps Brown and others who are unemployed and underemployed can find help this Friday as Indiana University Kokomo hosts “Support Gateway for Unemployed Workers” from 3 to 6 p.m. in Alumni Hall.
Local unemployed and underemployed workers can connect directly with service providers, said Paul Allor, development specialist for the city of Kokomo Department of Development.
The Support Gateway features providers ranging from financial to emotional services.
This spring, service providers met at IUK to discuss their services and how they could support each another.
Allor said this event is the result of collaboration between the city of Kokomo, IU Kokomo, the WIRED program, and more than 20 local service agencies, educational institutions, faith-based groups and businesses.
“When we had the summit this spring, we decided to open this up to the public so they can know what services are available to them,” said Allor. “We have services available that can assist them in finding a job, getting back into school, or how to start a new business. And this is a free event.
“The way the economy is, programs like this are needed. You have people who are unemployed and are not used to it. It can be difficult to navigate all the agencies to find the help you need. Friday, they can come to one location and find the help they need.”
Allor emphasizes this is not a job fair, however, representatives from some organizations’ human resources departments, and Manpower will be there to recruit potential employees for its clients.
There will also be “mini seminars” on returning to school, seeking a job and starting a business.
The seminars are: How to Access Retirement Funds for Income; How to Start You Own Small Business; Returning to College: Where Do I Start?; The Manpower Experience; Finding Your Next Career Through Indiana Career Connect; Starting A Business: What You Need To Know, and How College Can Help You Change Careers.
• K.O. Jackson is the Tribune’s business writer. He can be reached at (765) 854-6739 or via e-mail kirven.jackson@kokomotribune.com
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IUK offers help for unemployed workers
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