Northern Connections opens doors to a better life for those struggling to make ends meet

David wanted to work. The single dad from Waubun had been pounding the pavement for a long time looking for steady employment. But the doors weren't opening. Then he got a letter from Northern Connections in Perham. They wanted to help him any way they could to find and retain a good job. David couldn't believe it. He called right away. Now, David is in a six-week program to become a machinist--something he's wanted to do since high school. "I like to work with my hands," he said. Upon successful completion of the training, he'll get help finding employment. David is on a career path.

David recently told his story to the attendees of Northern Connections' annual meeting. Now two years old, Northern Connections is becoming an Upper Midwest model for providing free, voluntary one-on-one assistance to low income individuals, most of whom are just getting off some form of state assistance. Northern Connections helps its clients overcome barriers to employment and job retention. It provides tools and resources for asset accumulation and career advancement. Staff do a lot of hand holding, and walk clients through a lot of situations, like getting a credit report, writing a resume, buying a car, opening a checking account and enrolling in school. The amazing thing about Northern Connections is interaction is entirely by phone.

David summed up what Northern Connections does. "It helps people who want to get out of the rut they're in." Then he added: "I want it better for my children."

Tax clinic volunteers needed

West Central Initiative is partnering with Lakes and Prairie Community Action, Mahube Community Council, Otter Tail Wadena Community Action and the West Central MN Communities Action to bring free tax assistance this winter and spring to west central Minnesota's low-income families and seniors. This partnership is looking for volunteers to help as tax site hosts, tax return preparers, reviewers, assistants and more.

Training for Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens and Traverse will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12 in Alexandria, and Saturday, Jan. 19 in Elbow Lake. For more information, call Robbie or Karen at 1-800-492-4805.

To learn about training in Clay and Wilkin counties, visit http://www.lakesandprairies.net/html/tax_site.html

Learn more about Becker County volunteer opportunities by calling John Haack, Mahube Community Council at 218-847-1385, or email him at jhaack@mahube.org.

For more information about Otter Tail opportunities, call 218-385-2900 ext 115 or toll-free (1-888-687-2277) or visit our web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide.

It may be cold, but these jobs are hot!

The WorkForce Center, Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce
and the Fergus Falls Economic Improvement Commission surveyed key businesses within 25 miles of Fergus Falls in the fall of 2007. The organizations wanted to create a roadmap of:

1. What better jobs are usually available in the area


2. What people need to learn to qualify for those jobs and,


3. How do they learn and gain the skills they need to apply for these HOT JOBS.

See their findings in their booklet "Fergus Falls Area Hot Jobs: The Key to Your Career Future in West Central Minnesota."

Sen. Coleman takes the pulse of region on health care issues

Senator Norm Coleman recently held three town hall forums in west central Minnesota. The conference room at Lake Region Healthcare was full Monday morning as Sen. Coleman presented an overview of his vision for expanding health insurance coverage and lowering health care costs, and then listened to constituent concerns. These concerns ranged from a family practitioner's hope for better Medicare reimbursements to a senior's personal frustration with understanding the Medicare system.

Sen. Coleman is currently shepherding seven bills related to rural healthcare through the Senate. "Quality of healthcare shouldn't depend on your zipcode," he told the audience.

His issues:

• Every person should have health care. The senator believes it begins with tax reform and refundable tax credits.


• People shouldn't worry about losing their insurance if they get sick. Insurance needs to be portable. Leaving an employer, starting a new businesses, changing jobs or spending more time at home with family shouldn't risk one's health care coverage.


• There needs to be a change of attitude. "There is a need to focus on wellness and prevention. Obesity is a big problem," he said. "I'm also a big believer in individual responsibility. We need to educate consumers so they can make better choices."


• Health care decisions should not be made by Washington bureaucrats. While government can help, the decisions should be in the hands of citizens and their doctors. Health care reform shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach. There should be a variety of options.

Something we'd all be thankful for: ending poverty

For many, there'll be no horn of plenty this Thanksgiving, or any day for that matter. Families--more than we care to admit, and often for generations--have been mired in the muck that is poverty and find it nearly impossible to get out. The Minnesota Legislature's Commission to End Poverty by 2020, a bipartisan group of 18 senators and representatives, is hoping to find the means to put an end to poverty once and for all.

The commission is holding a public forum in Alexandria on Nov. 30, 1-3 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 411 Hawthorne Street. It's an opportunity for residents of Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens and Traverse counties to share their personal experiences with living in poverty and its effects on their families and local communities.

The forum will also give legislators an insight into whether citizens have the will to support significant new efforts necessary to eliminate poverty in Minnesota by the year 2020. The commission is required to make recommendations to the full legislature by Dec. 15, 2008.

The forum is sponsored by West Central MN Communities Action, Inc. and the United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties.

It's never too early (or too late!) for career planning

Do you know what career your child is interested in pursuing? Many parents don’t. And don’t be surprised if your child doesn’t know either. That’s a problem, because it’s good for your children to start early—as early as eighth grade—thinking about their interests and skills and how these could translate into a career.

MnCareers (www.iseek.org/mncareers) is a great place for students to start looking into careers. They can click on “Start Exploring” and take the online interest assessment. “Investigate Careers” describes many possible occupations that match their interests. There are resources available for parents, too.

Don’t think your child has to move far away from home to get a good job, either. There are many high-demand, high-pay occupations throughout west central Minnesota. The 2008 MnCareers supplement details the kinds of workers that are needed in this area, plus education requirements and potential wages. Download a PDF of the supplement, or learn more at www.iseek.org/mncareers/myplace/edr4.html or www.iseek.org/westcentral/.

Been out of school for a while? The same online tools can be applied to YOUR job search!

What does an aging workforce mean to our state and local economies?

As more and more baby boomers hit retirement age, and more and more schools experience declining enrollment, employers are starting to get a little nervous about their future workforce.

Minnesota State Demographer Tom Gillaspy and Minnesota Chief Economist Tom Stinson recently presented sobering statistics, interesting challenges and possible solutions at Alexandria's second annual Manufacturers and Industries Breakfast.

Read about their presentation.