Diary From the Road Archives

Second time is a charm.

Where

Bamberg and Allendale, SC

When

December 2, 2009 - 1:12pm

It was our second time through the towns of Bamberg and Allendale and we have seen a couple repeat visitors. Some previous participants brought a friend to get a resume made or learn new information about job opportunities. While it was nice to get referrals, it was even better to talk to the people who had already participated in the tour.

Remember the tools that are available everyday.

Where

Orangeburg, SC

When

November 16, 2009 - 3:17pm

The Road to Recovery Tour has helped more than 1,300 people thus far. Day after day we see people struggling with technology and how to use it to find a job. One of the secondary benefits of the Tour has been to educate people on how their local South Carolina One-Stop Center can help them in their job search. As RTR winds down, we are placing our focus on the promotion of assets available to SC locals at employment centers and libraries.

Basic computer skills are important

Where

Barnwell, SC

When

November 16, 2009 - 3:00pm

We spent another day in a great town – Barnwell. One gentleman brought in a resume that was made on his typewriter at home. He had no experience with a computer and needed to spend time learning basic skills. The RTR team sat with him and re-typed his resume to open the world of electronic applications. Then taught him how to get on the Internet, set-up an email, and navigate. He still needs practice, but he is well on his way now. Hopefully, we provided the tools he needs to find a job.

What a wonderful town to spend time in

Where

Springfield, SC

When

November 3, 2009 - 1:58pm

Word spread quickly of our arrival and early participants told friends that we were offering some really valuable help in building resumes and directing them to web sites where jobs could be found in their area.

A SEAL in Denmark?

Where

Denmark, SC

When

October 29, 2009 - 12:00am

We rolled into Denmark – South Carolina style. It was a beautiful morning and folks were waiting for our help.

One of the participants was a former Navy SEAL with plenty of IT experience. He is currently working at any job he can find but is looking for something permanent. A team member counseled him and rebuilt his resume to take advantage of his IT expertise and showed him numerous regional opportunities online.

See you in Springfield!

A record day helped factory workers find job opportunities

Where

Sylvania, GA

When

October 28, 2009 - 12:36pm

In Sylvania, we set a new RTR record of helping 121 people – many of them from a 40-year old plant that is closing and leaving 150 people unemployed. We found out the yarn plant was shutting its doors and contacted their human resources director who sent about 100 of their workers to our tour for help.

We met two people who had gone to work at the plant back in 1969 right out of high school and had never had another job. We built great resumes for everyone who attended that did not have one and showed them how to use the Internet for job searches.

We wish the folks in Sylvania the very best of luck in overcoming the loss of so many jobs. I think our team made a huge positive impact on their effort.

Heading back to South Carolina tomorrow for more RTR Tour work.

A new state with new programs

Where

Waynesboro, SC

When

October 26, 2009 - 12:47pm

Georgia welcomed us to Waynesboro at Augusta Technical College with a wonderful representative from the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL). We took some time to learn more about what they have to offer those unemployed and were impressed with the Georgia Work$ (GW$) program. Designed to stimulate job growth, the program allows job-seekers receiving unemployment insurance to gain workplace training and increase their income with up to a $300 stipend. All GW$ costs are paid by GDOL allowing employers to benefit as much as the GW$ participants by providing a trained workforce.

One skilled tradesman stopped by hoping to find job information that would allow him stay in the area. With a new baby, the young man really wanted to stay close to home. The RTR team helped him create a professional resume and submit it for two jobs in the area. We all can appreciate the value of family. Hope to many more Georgians in Millen tomorrow.

Fifteen jobs found for a woman in Marion

Where

Marion

When

October 26, 2009 - 10:34am

Marion had a wonderful historic district and great people ready to discover new opportunities. At the Marion RTR, a wonderful woman needed to prepare for re-entry into the workforce. With the down economy and money pressures at home, she needed to find a job. Her technology skills were limited, but she had excellent seamstress abilities.

Beautiful Beaufort Still Finds Folks Looking For Work

Where

Beaufort

When

October 19, 2009 - 12:00am

We had 41 folks visit us today. While Beaufort has a big tourism trade here, we still found people in dire need of some help in finding a job. Once we spend time with them most walk away much more encouraged because we’ve helped them build a great resume and shown them just how many jobs are available when you know the right places to look. Back in Kingstree we did a Monster.com search and found 600 jobs available within driving distance of that town.

….Or Did I Say Summerville

Where

Harleyville

When

October 16, 2009 - 12:00am

The rainy weather moved our event to the One-Stop office seven miles down the road to Summerville. Traffic was steady here through our entire visit. Folks are friendly and encouraged that we’ll give them the help they’ve been looking for. They LOVE learning new ways to look for jobs online. Hopefully the weather in Beaufort will be more accommodating.

Don’t Forget About Your CDL!

Where

Kingstree

When

October 16, 2009 - 12:00am

Today, we met a guy who said he couldn’t find a job anywhere. As we talked, we learned that while he had been in construction, he also had a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). We went online and found a bunch of great jobs that required a CDL so we helped him identify plenty of great job opportunities. We meet a lot of folks who overlook special job qualifications that can turn into great opportunities. Hope it works out for the man we met.

More opportunities will follow us as we visit Harleyville next.

Giving A Small Town Some Extra Assistance

Where

Bishopville

When

October 14, 2009 - 12:00am

We’re helping folks in their jobs search in every town we visit. Today, more than 20 people found help in building a great resume from our team. Our Road To Recovery Team also helps them find job opportunities online. Many were not aware there are so many opportunities so close to home. Bishopville has been hit hard by the recession, so we were glad to help.

We’re heading to Kingstree for our next visit.

Computer Searches Help People Look For Work Close To Home

Where

Manning

When

October 13, 2009 - 4:04pm

We set up shop at the local One-Stop Job Center. Our team members had great one-on-one discussions with those who stopped by for assistance and information about the Recovery Act Project.

Team Helps Virginia Man Find Opportunity in Sumter

Where

Sumter

When

October 9, 2009 - 3:49pm

The people at Sumter were so helpful. The director of the local Workforce Investment Act office introduced us to a service called Paxen that provides job-related help to young adults age 18-21. Through the connection we were able to help several of young adults create their first resume and offered some tips on job interview skills.

A Nifty 50 Turn Out At Calhoun County Museum

Where

St. Matthews

When

October 8, 2009 - 3:48pm

The Calhoun County Museum and Historical Center offered a unique educational experience. The team had an opportunity to look around the museum before Road to Recovery participants started to arrive. We all appreciated the history that makes this area distinct culturally and provides diverse community bonds.

Helping Folks Build Better Resumes In Santee

Where

Santee

When

October 8, 2009 - 12:22pm

Even the weather won’t rain on the Road to Recovery. Forecasts predicted rain and forced us to move from our outdoor location to a conference room at a local hotel. With overcast skies the team still provided job-tools for local residents and had participants walking away happy.

Bringing Opportunity to Batesburg

Where

Batesburg

When

October 8, 2009 - 12:18pm

The crowd at the Batesburg-Leesville Library stop was anxious to learn about the many opportunities that our team offers. Several people were ready to make resumes as soon as we opened the doors and others discussed skill-building and educational opportunities.