Jobs, jobs, jobs. May 11 Meeting.

Jobs, jobs, jobs, the topic is jobs!

Jobs and the economy have been topics of importance to all of us since the economic collapse of 2008. Even though President Obama saved us from complete destruction due to the inept policies that came before, our economy never completely recovered from all the jobs lost because companies moved those jobs overseas in order to pay desperate people in other countries wages which cannot sustain a living. In addition, companies keeping jobs in the USA have failed to increase wages with the profits they receive so many Americans are still working at less than a livable wage.

Our current administration continues passing policies and procedures and granting tax cuts and subsidies reflective of those same policies and procedures that caused the economic collapse of 2008. So how do these policies and procedures affect our local workers? What jobs are available? At livable wages or less than livable wages? What help is available to our local job seekers? And many more questions!

Catherine (Katie) Gibbons, Employee Supervisor of Espiscopal Social Services (ESS)/Breakthrough Club, will be one of our May 11th speakers. She is a member of Sedgwick County Democratic Women (SCDW). Katie will discuss this broad-based social service agency meeting the changing needs of the homeless, unemployed, under-employed, those suffering from mental illness, and the at-risk youth in our community.

Breakthrough Club is a social and vocational program for persons with mental illness. In 2008, mental health funding was drastically cut in the state of Kansas and by local government agencies. Breakthrough Club lost 75% of its funding and had to drastically cut services. In 2012, Breakthrough Club reunited with Episcopal Social Services (ESS); together, both organizations are available to serve those who are poor and/or disabled by symptoms of mental illness.

Mickala Fink, Resource Coordinator for the Workforce Centers of South Central Kansas, will also speak to our group on May 11th. Mickala has worked in workforce development for 7 years. She will discuss the Workforce Centers of South Central Kansas as a one-stop resource for job seekers and employers. At the Workforce Centers, JOB SEEKERS find the tools and training needed to build successful careers and EMPLOYERS find help with their hiring, training, or human resources needs. Most of these services are available free of charge.

Come to the SCDW meeting on May 11th! Come and learn about help available in our community! Come and learn how you can get help! Come and learn how you too can help! Let’s be advocates for our local workers and job seekers!

—Donna Wirth