- Details on the Alternatives Program
- Benefits to the Individual
- Benefits to the Community
- A Success Story
Details on the Alternatives Program
In conjunction with the Onondaga County Department of Social Services JobsPlus! program, Alternatives is an innovative solution that helps train and place recipients of public assistance in full time jobs. The program provides job search skills, classes, assistance with resumes, on-the-job awareness seminars and many other specific training opportunities. Guest speakers such as human resource managers often discuss what they look for in a job applicant to members of the Alternatives Program.Beyond job search training, Alternatives offers classes in personal computers, teaching such programs as LOTUS, DOS and WordPerfect. People in the Alternatives program are then assisted in finding jobs in the community. Alternatives places nearly 200 people in jobs per year.
Benefits to the Individual
The Alternatives program benefits individuals by helping them in job skills training which will assist them in transitioning from public assistance to full time work. This opportunity to increase their independence has worked for over 900 people since the program began in 1994.
Benefits to the Community
The Alternatives program benefits the community by helping to decrease the number of welfare recipients in Central New York.
A Success Story
A 23 year old single mother on welfare was referred to the Alternatives program from the Department of Social Services. After attending the Alternatives job seeking class, she expressed interest in working as a nurse's aide. Previously, her lack of a high school diploma made it difficult to find work. Alternatives job developers linked her with a local nursing home where she worked in environmental services for six months. Now, she is in training to become a nurse's aid and is 'transitioning', with public assistance gradually being eliminated.Alternatives Program - Rehab Services
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