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
Local News
IUK offers help for unemployed workers
20 service providers will be on hand Friday to explain services
- Local News
-
-
Entire U.S. 31 corridor now under contract
Every segment of the 13.1-mile, U.S. 31 Kokomo Corridor is now officially under construction.
-
Northwestern to graduate 130 seniors
Peyton Hite ended her last day in high school by going home and washing sheep.
“It’s part of living on a farm,” she said, with a laugh.
-
Drugs, cash seized, four arrested
Police from four agencies seized heroin, pills, syringes and cash, and arrested four people this week after a raid on a house on East Street, according to police reports.
-
Lafayette job fair expects Kokomo hopefuls
Organizers of a Lafayette job fair next week are reaching out to Kokomo residents looking for work.
-
Deputy prosecutor facing two charges
A Howard County deputy prosecutor will face two drunken-driving charges in connection with a traffic stop in Cicero.
-
Governor honors student
A Northwestern High School senior achieved a milestone Thursday when he became the first Indiana student ever to win both of the state’s top science awards.
-
Taylor considering staff reductions
A decline in enrollment has forced Taylor School Corp. to consider staff reductions, but the board won’t vote on the issue until next week, officials said Thursday.
-
Schools among top 20 in Indiana
Three area schools were ranked among the top 20 in Indiana this year by U.S. News and World Report.
Tri-Central Middle/High School, Eastern Junior-Senior High School and Tipton High School all made the list, which was an evaluation of 379 high schools across the state.
-
Library starts iPad rental program
Apple can’t make enough iPads to satisfy demand, but the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library now owns 15 iPad2 units.
Thursday, social media-conscious library patrons scrambled to borrow the tablet computers, on the first official day of the library’s iPad lending program.
-
Gov. names NW student 'Mr. Science' for 2012
Tyler Barnes becomes first Indiana student to be named Indiana's Top Young Scientist and Mr. Science.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
