Grant lets county ‘empower’ those in need

Oconto County has been awarded a large grant to help those in need to become more self-sufficient.

The grant, from the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, will provide up to $236,500 over three years to fund the Community Resource Empowerment Program.

CREP is intended to serve offenders in and out of prison, non-custodial parents who are unemployed, individuals with AODA issues or mental health challenges, victims of domestic or sexual abuse, the disabled, the homeless or those at-risk of homelessness, or at-risk veterans.

“There’s a population out there that is very unemployed because of various factors, especially prison,” explained Penny Helmle, economic support manager for county Department of Health and Human Services. ‘They come out of system with nothing, and have no job leads.”

The program will provide clients with career and work assessment, job search assistance, resume cover letter creation, interview preparation and help them further their education or training.

They will also be able get referrals other needs, such as getting into treatment, finding housing and applying for health care beneifts.

“We want them to become employees, but to become successful, they need to be able to access health care, housing (and other assistance),” Helmle said.

The program, coordinated by HHS employment and training specialists, will assist clients and also scheduled a variety of free workshops on topics such as budgeting and financial help, tenant rights, making smart choices, problem solving and others.

Ultimately, the goal is for clients to support themselves and be taxpaying citizens.

“That means they will be able to pay child support, which helps them and their family,” she said.

CREP will offered at the NEW Beginnings Learning Lab, 230 Van Buren St., Oconto Falls, though parts of the program will be offered at sites to be determined throughout the county.

The program is separate from the NEW Beginnings program, which provides work and job skills training for the physically or intellectually disabled.