Community Action Hosts Valuable Training for Those Obtaining Work and Keeping a Job

On September 10, 2010, over 100 participated in an all day employment seminar at Sloan Convention Center. Through funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Action, Community Action of Southern Kentucky was able to provide comprehensive training to empower participants to ‘Power Their Business Presence’ by improving basic employment skills.

The majority of the participants in this training were below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines. For example, a family of four would have a household income of less than $3,675 per month.

“In this down economy it is so easy for people to become discouraged when looking for jobs, especially those confronting issues of poverty. Today we empowered participants to reshape their image, to take ownership of their employment search and to have confidence in themselves to reach their career goals,” said Cheryl H. Allen, CEO of Community Action. 

Guest speaker Andrea Giggetts, President of Giggetts and Associates, used real-life experiences and examples to show participants how to change the odds in their careers, get their foot in the door through networking and how to safeguard and promote their careers. Western Kentucky University(WKU) Division of Extended Learning & Outreach, WKU Career Services Center and Community Action Staff provided educational sessions on how to improve writing skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, work ethic and job hunting skills.

One participant said, “Everything was helpful and I am walking away with valuable information. I will hold fast to everything I learned today and put it into action.”

Another participant said, “This training has changed my life.  I feel like what I have learned will help me be the person I want to be.”

Community Action of Southern Kentucky is a part of America’s Poverty Fighting Network, which concentrates on helping people and changing lives. For more information, please contact Charity Parrish, Public Information Coordinator at 270-782-3162 or cparrish@casoky.org, or visit www.casoky.org.