Agency Celebrates 15 Years of Helping People Find Jobs

The Racine County Workforce Development Center, a beacon of hope for many in need, celebrated its 15th anniversary Tuesday. 

Staff greeted guests, gave tours and spoke of the wealth of services offered at the center, located at 1717 Taylor Avenue, during the two-hour open-house event. 

The event was made cheerful by the warm handshakes and smiles from staffers that lead guests on tours, which ended with cake, cookies and punch. 

For the last 15 years, the unemployed of Racine, some of whom were emotionally broken, have been greeted by both vital career services and an uplifting spirit as they enter the building.   

"We have a really compassionate staff that believe in what they are doing," said Alice Oliver, Workforce Development Center manager. "It's just not about the service. It is about being compassionate and empathetic about what's going on in another person's life today." 

Because of the stifling economy, the face of those that the take advantage of the center services has changed with many more, well-paid and well-educated professionals being served. 

"Typically, most people saw the Workforce Development Center for low-income individuals, not for those with skills or dreams," Oliver said. "Unemployment doesn't have a dollar sign attached to it. It doesn't have a face or a race. Everyone is impacted in some way." 

Job seeker Tonette Miller has used the center's programs to sharpen her interview skills and to obtain educational services. 

"It means a lot. It has helped me learn how to use a computer to do job applications and to show me how to do a resume," she said as she looked for a job on one of the computer terminals in the center. "I use everything I can get to help find a job. It's hope."

The workforce development center features an employment center where users can look for jobs online or in the newspaper, create a resume and cover letter and call employers. 

"There is a lot of resources that are expensive out in the community," business consultant Kristin Schroeder said. "If you don't have internet or anything, it's all right here." 

Employers also come to the center to recruit, using the facility's interview rooms and tap into the staff's expertise regarding the current supply of job seekers. The center can also administer assessments for employers at the facility. 

"That is our main focus is try to link the employers to the skilled job seekers that they need," Schroeder said. "All at no cost." 

The center also offers various career development and training services along with a broad array of educational opportunities. The center assists young workers in obtaining their GED and exploring other higher education opportunities. 

The center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call the center at (262) 638-6312.