PORT TOWNSEND — The foundations of two local banks donated money last week to support the Port Townsend Library’s workforce development program.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation donated $2,200 and U.S. Bancorp Foundation gave $2,000 to help continue the program that teaches job-hunting skills.
Library Director Theresa Percy said the funds will carry the program through the fall while library staff seek a permanent source of revenue for it.
The program, “Transition Yourself,” assists those who are out of work or underemployed to transition back to employment or to self-employment.
“The job market isn’t what it used to be,” said program director Susan Wilson.
“A lot of people looking for work don’t know what to do.”
The jobs program, which consists of regular meetings and includes a resource center on the second floor of the library at 1220 Lawrence St., is all about learning what resources are available, Wilson said.
Job seekers face more than a weak economy, she said.
They are fighting such perceptions as the notion that a person who is unemployed for six months no longer has current skills.
Many job seekers get depressed, and that attitude can be visible to an employer and work against the applicant, Wilson said.
To date, more than 300 people have benefited from the program through career planning and job search skill development workshops, access to significant library collections of employment and career resources, and targeted coaching through weekly network groups, she said.
Wilson said she does not track the progress of those attending the seminars because there still exists a stigma around unemployment, and many people don’t want to maintain contact or share their experience, even if they are success stories.
With that caveat, she said she knows of at least 30 people who have found jobs or returned to school as a result of the program.
“Public libraries have stepped up to help meet the critical community need of unemployment,” Percy said.
“Workforce development is a key priority for these banks, and their support will play an important role in assisting the library to continue its important job center programs and resources.”
For more information about the program, email Wilson at swilson@cityofpt.us or phone 360-385-3181.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.
bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
