meadville tribune
Laid off? Dislocated? Out of work? Where do you go for help?
The United Way of Western Crawford County and Pennsyl-
vania Career Link, concerned that many people don’t know where to turn during desperate economic
times, are offering a free “resource luncheon” Tuesday.
The event will provide detailed information on how to obtain government-provided or charitable assistance that financially troubled local residents may be eligible to receive.
“We would urge individuals and families to join us to learn about these services before they reach the crisis point,” said the local UW’s Chief Professional Officer Sandra Rossi. “Our unemployment is reaching 9 percent, so more working families are calling into the agency, but they really don’t know where to start finding help.”
At Tuesday’s event, information will be provided on:
- Energy and food assistance
- Medical benefits
- Child care assistance
- Credit counseling
- Mortgage and housing assistance
- Employment services
- Unemployment compensation
- Prescription programs
So far, 50 people have signed up for the event, to be held at New Beginnings Church of God, 13226 Leslie Road. Lunch will be served at noon, with the resource fair to follow. Sign-in begins at 11:30 a.m.
“We knew the need was growing here,” Rossi said. “Clarion offered a resource fair a month or so ago, and they had more than 150 people show up. So we put our heads together locally and put on a push to make the information available locally.
“With companies laying off and reducing hours, local people are going to be needing these services,” Rossi said.
Anyone planning to attend is asked to contact Western Crawford County United Way this week by calling 337-1251 and provide all names and total number of people attending.
