Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 21, 1993 TAG: 9302210083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ROANOKE'S FAMILY SERVICE OFFERS JOBLESS WORKSHOPS
Family Service of Roanoke Valley next month will offer two workshops providing free counseling for the more than 3,400 area residents facing job layoffs.The human services agency said it will hold sessions on March 1 and 8 on coping with unemployment. They will be at the Knisely Center in the campus library at Virginia Western Community College from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The agency wants to help people who are facing emotional trauma from job loss, said Phillip F. Sparks, Family Service board president.
Sparks, who works in economic development for Roanoke, noted that the valley is facing "an incredible number of layoffs" as the result of changes in the national and local economies since last June.
He cited job losses ranging from 1,200 jobs at Sears Telecatalog and 850 at Dominion Bank to two each at Fesquet's and Wilson's restaurants. They cover a wide range of industries, from financial to medical care, manufacturing to government to professional services.
A. Ward West Jr. of the Family Family Service staffer Service staff will conduct one workshop on helping individuals and families "cope and grow in stressful times."
In the second session, West said, concrete programs will be presented on personal and skill appraisal, career decision-making, financial planning, job-search strategies and support systems.
"People need to understand that once they lose a job, they have another job, and that is to find the next job," West said.
West said he can provide information "and open the door, but they [the unemployed] have to have the commitment to walk through it."
To manage and grow from the stressful situation of layoffs, West said, "We must turn trauma into positive action and energize family support."
John Pendarvis, the agency's executive director, said losing a job often spills over into other family problems such as marital differences, domestic violence and child abuse.
The United Way of Roanoke Valley, financial supporter of the agency, has received more than $24 million in employee contributions since 1985, said Bob Kulinski, president. "When working people have hard times, they need our help," he said.
United Way "will do what we can to network with Family Services, always a flagship agency" in the community, Kulinski said.
People planning to attend can register by calling Family Service at 563-5316.
Sparks said the board may attempt to offer the free counseling service to the New River Valley if there is sufficient interest. The Radford Army Ammunition Plant has scheduled layoffs there.