COVID–19 Grant Provides Local Jobs

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor

The Disaster Dislocated Worker Covid Grant provides temporary work experience employment opportunities for individuals throughout Northwest Georgia that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is designed to serve dislocated workers in need of training and assist in securing full-time employment.

Randy Forester, from Trenton, is a recipient of the grant. He worked at the Dade County Health Department.

Recipients of the grant get COVID-19 prevention related jobs, which last for 16 weeks.

Prior to the pandemic, he had worked at the Tivoli Theatre. The Tivoli has been shut down since the beginning of the pandemic.

Forester was temporarily working for the Dade County Board of Elections, and someone who worked there told him about the grant.

“It was a great relief,” Forester said about getting the grant. “It seemed like it came at just the right time.”

At the Health Department, Forester was cleaning, and he was also answering the phone to help book vaccine appointments.

“I think it is extremely important work,” Forester said. “The sooner everyone is vaccinated, everyone can get back to work doing their regular jobs.”

Forester’s work at the Health Department through the COVID-19 ended last week. He hopes that the Tivoli Theatre will be open again soon.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Coordinator Paula Stallings works with individuals that apply for the grant. According to Stallings, the grant is available for another year, and there are still several positions to fill.

For additional information about the National Disaster Dislocated Worker Grant, contact Stallings at (423) 280-5161 or visit www.careerdepot.org.