State Agency Comes to Nappanee to Help Those Left Jobless after Storm

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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State Agency Comes to Nappanee to Help Those Left Jobless after Storm

WorkOne Rapid Response Team held an informational/orientation session at the Nappanee Public Library, Oct. 26, 2007, for individuals who lost their job, or are not working due to the storm. They will also assist with filing unemployment claims and provide career-related counseling services on Oct. 29 and 31, and Nov. 1. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 26, 2007 at 3:35 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 26, 2007 at 11:28 PM EST

(WSBT) People worried about their jobs after last week's tornado in Nappanee are getting some much needed help.

Several businesses are rebuilding, but until that's done, some workers are out of a job. Friday, they got some help.

When the tornado hit, Cheri Steele knew the place where she worked was in its path.

“We just sat at home and cried, because we knew it was gone,” she said. “Then Friday we all came in and tried to help clean up, tried to find what was left in the offices and everyone just cried. What can you do? It's gone."

And she won't have a job until it’s rebuilt.

That’s why she came to the Nappanee Public Library to meet with WorkOne's Rapid Response Team.

"We're just trying to see what we can get for help,” she said.

And she's not alone.

According to FEMA, 107 businesses in the area have been impacted by the tornado — some destroyed, others with a lot of cleaning up to do.

"We're going to bring basic information on unemployment insurance and about what you need to do if you're looking at re-employment planning and if you need a skills upgrade,” explained Mary Sue Freitag, of WorkOne. “So we want to make sure they have the information they need so some of the things can be started at home on their home computer."

They’re reaching out to those like Cheri, who now has one big concern:

“That my kids will have food on the table — that's what I'm worried about is my kids at home,” she said. “I don't care about me, but my kids, I do."

WorkOne will send an unemployment team to Nappanee next week to provide counseling and help with filing unemployment claims.

They'll be there Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 1 p.m. in the public library on 157 North Main Street.

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