Pocono News Section

Local Groups Help Unemployed

Local Groups Help Unemployed - Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 5:00PM EST

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The poor economy is forcing many local companies to continue cutting back, including HPG International in Mountaintop. It laid off more than 140 workers Tuesday. But Wednesday was a new day for several HPG employees and hundreds more, as the Workforce Investment Board brought in close to 30 agencies to help the unemployed.
Ricky Tomko heard about the event Tuesday, the same day he was laid off after 34 years at HPG.

"You don't know what to expect, and you're on your own," said Tomko. "That's why I came here this morning."

"They need help, they're frightened, they don't know where to turn," said Paul O'Malia, the executive director of the Workforce Investment Board. "They're dealing with anger and frustration and the embarrassment of telling their families that they've lost their job."

That's why his group is trying to help people survive a layoff -- with information on health care, stress management, unemployment compensation, and avoiding home foreclosure.

"We can contact their lender for them and work out loan modifications," said Kym Szura, a housing specialist with CEO, or Commission on Economic Development. "We have different programs we have to get them current with their mortgage."

O'Malia says the board and assisting agencies want to get the word out on how they can help people, because they say layoffs will likely continue.

"I need assistance with rent, heating bills, that sort of thing," said Christine Balberchak of Forty Fort. She's recently been cut from 50 hours a week to 20 at her three part-time jobs. Now, she's competing to find a clerical job or a position working with the elderly.

"With everyone being laid off and out of work, it's hard to get back into the work force," Balberchak added. "Thousands of people are vying for the same few jobs."

And if anyone understands, it's Ricky Tomko.

"I hope my company gets bought and we have jobs back," Tomko said. "Otherwise, I don't know. It's too early, and I don't know where I stand."

The positive news is, there are more "Help is Here" fairs coming up, including in Schuylkill County Thursday, and Lackawanna and Monroe counties next week.

For more information on how the Workforce Investment Board can help you, to go www. lswib. org or call 822-1101.