Find a new start

Jackson County residents experiencing financial and emotional hardships from being  unemployed can look for new beginnings at an orientation and information fair.

The free "New Beginnings ... Skills for the Future" program will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Seymour City Hall, 309 N. Chestnut St.

Visitors should park in the lot at Walnut and Chestnut streets.

Information on a variety of topics and resources will be available, including unemployment insurance, educational opportunities, job search skills, skills assessment, training, personal finance, stress management, networking opportunities and spiritual well-being.

"Anyone affected by the economy is encouraged to attend to obtain helpful information," said Jackie Hill, workforce director with Jackson County Industrial Development Corp.

New Beginnings is sponsored by JCIDC, Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of Jackson County and Jackson County Human Resources Group.

In addition to written information, there will be business professionals present to speak with people about specific questions or concerns they may have, Hill added.

A New Beginnings program was held in March and was described as a success.

"This is a definite community effort that is trying to reach and assist as many Jackson County folks that have recently lost their jobs, been laid off temporarily or affected in some other way by the economy," Hill said.

From the New Beginnings initiative, Sharon Bradford, a member of Jackson County Human Resources Group, has formed an ongoing network session that meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays at the Community Foundation of Jackson County office.

Bradford was recently laid off as human resources director at Kobelco Metal Powder in Seymour, which closed at the end of June.

Information

For information about New Beginnings or networking sessions, contact Jackie Hill at 522-4951 or Sharon Bradford at sbradford@kobelcometal.com