Regional Job Resource Center Opens

BRIDGEPORT — A weak economy. Longer periods of unemployment. Putting food on the table, keeping the heat flowing, and the medical bills, transportation, and child care in line, all while finding a new job or training in a new industry.

These are the challenges facing many people in Southwestern Connecticut.

But together with the job placement expertise of Career Resources, Inc, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and the support of the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, The WorkPlace, Inc has opened a Community Resource Center at CTWorks, 2 Lafayette Square, where visitors can not only benefit from the workforce development system, but can also get information and apply for financial and family support to carry them through this crisis.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Congressman Jim Himes and Connecticut Labor Commissioner Patricia Mayfield was held January 23, followed by an overview of services. The new Community Resource Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, located within the CTWorks Career Center at 2 Lafayette Square.

“Our goal is to support the basic needs of clients by providing easy access to information on a broad array of available services,” said Joseph M. Carbone, president and CEO of The WorkPlace, Inc. “We have always strived to provide this at our CTWorks locations. The new center will increase our capacity, and the support of the United Way enables us to deliver financial assistance in a direct way.”

The United Way of Coastal Fairfield County has pledged to provide funds to help individuals through the Community Resource Center as needed.

Dedicated staff will assist CTWorks customers with identifying community resources that can help them, and to apply for funds to close any short-term gaps. Examples of basic needs that may be met through the Community Resource Center include food, shelter, health care, legal services, education, energy, and transportation.

“There are many outstanding service organizations already providing services in the Southwestern Connecticut region, and we’ve always done our best to connect our customers to them,” said Scott Wilderman, CEO of Career Resources, Inc, which operates and staffs the CTWorks. “But we were never able to provide direct assistance when a need arises for one of our customers. Now we can.”

The new Community Resource Center will also offer seminars and workshops related to areas of assistance as well as budgeting, literacy, nutrition, and other support groups as needed.

The center is actively seeking community partners to coordinate services and schedule on-site opportunities to introduce customers to what is available.

Those interested should contact Scott Wilderman at Career Resources, Inc at 203-953-3259.