Residents Encouraged To Apply For Dislocated Workers Grant
REBECCA HAZEN/Dade County Sentinel
Rita Lawson cleans the Dade County Senior Center as part of the Disaster Dislocated Worker National Emergency Grant. Dade County residents are encouraged to apply for the grant, which provides temporary COVID-19 prevention cleaning jobs.
By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor
Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWGRC) and Work Source Georgia continue to offer a Disaster Dislocated Worker National Emergency Grant through its Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
The Disaster Dislocated Worker National Emergency Grant provides temporary employment opportunities for individuals impacted by Covid-19 throughout the 15 county northwest Georgia region. Dade County residents are encouraged to apply.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Coordinator Paula Stallings helps to develop work sites and works with individuals that apply for the grant.
“The COVID-19 grant has been extended for one more year. This grant allows individuals the opportunity to explore career options. Individuals gain temporary employment for up to 40 hours per week until the allotted time has expired,” Stallings said. “Working through this grant will help individuals acquire the skills necessary to succeed. In addition, individuals working through this grant will have the opportunity to build their resumes for future employment.”
Rita Lawson, of Trenton, is a recipient of the grant. She cleans at the Dade County Senior Center.
“I heard about this grant from my friend, Paula. This grant has been very important for me. I needed to work, but I had been job hunting and I wasn’t getting callbacks,” Lawson said.
Lawson sanitizes the floors, tables, chairs, and doorknobs before everyone comes to the building in the morning, and in the evening.
Annette Cash, Dade County Transportation Director, is Lawson’s supervisor.
“We need all the help we can get right now with cleaning, especially with COVID-19. We have not only our seniors here, but we have the transportation office, and North Georgia Community Action here. There are quite a few people that come in and out here,” Cash said.
“One of the ladies had quit coming because she was so terrified. Now that I come and sanitize her office, she started coming back every day,” Lawson said about one of the employees.
Cash also noted that Lawson’s presence has also been great for the seniors because they enjoy having someone new to talk to.
“This has been a blessing,” Lawson said.
The eligibility requirements for the NEG Grant include:
• Be at least 18 years old
• A legal citizen of the United States
• In compliance with the Selective Service Act
• Temporarily or permanently laid off as a result of COVID-19
• Laid off due to a plant or business closure related or lack of work
• Long-term unemployed individuals
• Self-employed individuals unemployed or underemployed
Applications are available online at www.careerdepot.org. Click on the Disaster/COVID-19 Application link. For more information, contact Paula Stallings at (423) 280-5161 or pstallings@dadecounty-ga.gov.