Workshops Set for Seniors in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

Workshops to present sharing and problem-solving to handle difficult emotions for seniors are scheduled in Pulaski County.

The Elder Leading and Education Across Domains, or L.E.A.D., initiative is a statewide pilot program that promotes emotional health for the older population. Senior participants will explore attitudes, increase awareness of medication use/misuse, and learn proven strategies to reduce anxiety, anger and depression.

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Fight for Public Transportation Funds Goes to Legislature

Posted on Author WKVI

Public transportation offered by Community Services of Starke County, Pulaski County Human Services and Marshall County Council on Aging is in high demand. Funding to keep up with the demand has caused legislators to get involved.

The Public Mass Transportation Fund has not received any additional money for seven years. The funding is distributed among 65 public and nonprofit agencies that offer transportation by reservation or on-demand. According to Joan Haugh, Executive Director of Community Services of Starke County, officials there have to turn down requests for trips due to lack of drivers, vehicles and available money. Last year, 757 different individuals were transported which shows a need for funding to provide a community service. About 50 passenger trips are provided each day.

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Recruitment Fair Date Set in Winamac

Posted on Author WKVI
 
 

The labor force participation rate changed little at 61.5 percent in March. This measure is 1.8 percentage points lower than in February 2020. The employment-population ratio, at 57.8 percent, was up by 0.2 percentage point over the month but is 3.3 percentage points lower than in February 2020.

Not only is the federal government the largest employer in the U.S., its workforce of more than 2 million is getting older. The percentage of federal workers age 55 or older grew from 15 percent in 1998 to 25 percent in 2010. And the percentage of workers older than 55 in the federal government is higher than in the private sector. Older workers are protected by federal law from hiring discrimination and bias while on the job. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act forbids age discrimination against people who are age 40 or older.

Residents may now apply for the Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment Program which runs pre employment checks to all using this service.

The program is a chance for older aged Hoosiers to be a part of paid community service assignments at local organizations and also training to go back into the workforce.

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WKVI Hosts Successful Fifth Annual Food Drive

Posted on Author WKVI
WKVI's Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe, Mary Perren and Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain with some of the food collected at Sanders Foods during the fifth annual WKVI Food Drive.
WKVI’s Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe, Mary Perren and Pulaski County Human Services Executive Director Jacki Frain with some of the food collected at Sanders Foods during the fifth annual WKVI Food Drive.

WKVI’s Fifth Annual Food Drive on Saturday was a rousing success. Tom Berg and Tony Ross collected items and donations at Five Star for the Community Services of Starke County Food Pantry, while Nathan Welter, Mitch Columbe and Mary Perren did the same at Sanders in the Winamac Plaza. Items collected there went to the Pulaski County Human Services Food Pantry. They include 5,200 pounds of food and $1,392.49. Galbreath employees brought two vehicles full of food, weighing 3,000 pounds, and the Winamac Community High School Football Team also gave generously. After the drive was over, the WKVI staff helped unload the items at Pulaski County Human Services, where they will be sorted and distributed to families in need. Continue reading →