“Taking Charge” graduates prepare
for next step: jobs
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE
– “This class has given
me the tools I need to succeed,” said Charles Robbins, one of 15
graduates of
the “Taking Charge of Your Life” class at The Darke County Job Center
Dec. 11.
Admitting
he’d been in and out of
jail all of his life, Robbins said he got tired of doing the same thing
and not
getting a good result at the end of it.
Each
of the 15 graduates went
around the table and shared their Mission Statements… goals they have
set for
themselves to change their lives.
“I
will be a loving father for my
kids, staying sober,” said one. Another said he would be a “loving
father and
husband, will get a job and support my family.”
One
said she was an addict but now
she’s taking charge of her life.
“I
am honest and loyal,” said
another. “I want to help others; I’m hard working and strive to be a
better
person.”
Darke
County Commissioner Diane
Delaplane said she was impressed by what she heard.
“I
know it came from your hearts,”
she said. “Thank you for taking that step.”
Darke
County Commissioner Mike
Stegall was more blunt.
“Nobody
gives a damn about your
life like you do,” he said. “Every decision you make in your life is
yours.
Once you realize that you can take control of your life like you have
here.”
He
added the decision is theirs to
be a productive member of society.
“We’re
all proud of you,” he said.
Robbins,
a Greenville resident,
shared his story in more detail, indicating his problems started at the
age of
seven.
“I
thought I could do what I wanted
when I wanted no matter what,” he said. He was tired of finding out
different.
“I
want to do roofing. I want to go
to school to learn the construction business.” Robbins said he was
looking for
work; he loves working with his hands. He lives with his parents,
noting both
his mom and dad think this class is a good step for him.
While
much of the class was
motivational it also provided the basic “how-to’s” of seeking
employment,
including hygiene, interviewing skills, clothing, family support and
more.
Lorie
Simpson, Darke County
Workforce Development Consultant, conducted the class. She noted two
individuals who weren’t there did not graduate but would get a chance
to
complete the course later. Two of the graduates in this class had
started the
program earlier but weren’t able to complete it.
On
Aug. 26 Darke County
Commissioners signed an agreement authorizing Darke County Job
& Family
Services and the Greenville City School District to work together
regarding the
training program for the unemployed, under-employed and unskilled
individuals
meeting poverty level guidelines.
The
16-hour class meets Tuesdays
and Thursdays for two weeks, four hours per session. It is required to
receive
benefits, said Job & Family Services Director Gracie Ratliff at
the
meeting.
“There
are three levels of
sanctions for those who don’t participate,” she added. “30-day loss of
benefits, 60-day loss and six-month loss.”
Ratliff
told the commissioners
there were 4,000 potential clients for the program in Darke County,
adding they
are concentrating on the unemployed first. After that they will begin
working
with the under-employed and unskilled.”
Published
courtesy of The Early Bird
|
