34
Opinion
April 2 - April 15, 2016
www.SanTanSun.com
Community Commentaries
Maricopa County helps Libraries transform connect residents with jobs
Code (the only one open to the public in the state), Minecraft Monday, Talk Time English language classes, A timid and shy little girl is behind her citizenship classes, STEAM/MakerSpace second grade peers in reading; workshops for tweens and teens, she isn’t able to concentrate afterschool activities, films, and read through an entire author talks, music and much page of text. Her family more. is referred to the Read to • 1.2 million: The number of Succeed program at Chandler people who visited Chandler’s Public Library. After weeks library locations. That’s more of tutoring sessions, she has than 3,200 people every single blossomed. She is confident day (and, we can happily and reading chapter books. accommodate more)! She is now smiling brightly Lina arrived in the United instead of hiding her face. She Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. States with little money, but has the superhero-like ability Submitted photo big dreams. Within 15 years, she to read. had accomplished a master’s There are hundreds of degree at ASU, but was still stories like this one at the waiting for eligibility to apply library; stories of individuals for citizenship. After a fiveovercoming a challenge and year wait, her application was discovering something new accepted and she took the 10about themselves. Your local week volunteer-led citizenship library is transforming lives workshop through the library. and its community in more She is now a citizen. ways than you may be aware. From books delivered April 10 through April 16 is to senior care facilities National Library Week, which and hospitals to STEAM Brenda Brown. was first sponsored by the programming delivered to Submitted photo American Library Association schools, your Chandler Public in 1958. It is the perfect week to become Library has a significant impact by reacquainted with Chandler Public Library providing resources that some citizens and all it has to offer. might not otherwise have the ability to Let us share a few numbers that will access. There is a job center, printer and illuminate Chandler Public Library’s reach: copier, experts to help with research for • 3.3 million: The number of people who school papers or genealogy projects, use the Wi-Fi made available at all four trainings on Lynda.com, and more than locations. For many, this is the only way two million books, films and music they can access the internet for work albums—hard copy and digital. And, did or school because they don’t have the we mention—it is all free! service at home. We hope you will think back to a time • 266,935: The number of computer when a library played an important role reservations in one year, made by in your life. Celebrate that moment and adults and youth who need access to a rediscover Chandler Public Library during computer for writing a résumé, looking National Library Week. Stop by one of for a job, doing homework, or having our four libraries or visit us online at some down time. www.chandlerlibrary.org. We guarantee • 122,198: The number of people who you will be surprised by all that is attended programs last year: story available to you. times for young children, Girls Who
BY BRENDA BROWN, CHANDLER’S DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, AND MAYOR JAY TIBSHRAENY
time transitioning to civilian life. It is Calling all employers and job our duty to help them and make sure seekers! As you know, the job they have the tools to be successful hunt can be a full-time job by in getting education, finding work, itself. Maricopa County residents and returning to their lives. looking for a job or career change The Genesis Youth Program can get help at no cost just by specifically helps out-of-school coming to one of our career or out-of-work youth ages 16-24 centers. in furthering their education or ARIZONA@WORK: Maricopa Denny Barney. finding employment. Enrolled Submitted photo County (formerly Maricopa youth participate in a year-round Workforce Connections) aims to provide program where they receive tools to become services, without cost, to job seekers and successful, productive citizens. The program employers. According to the state’s website, offers more focused assistance to help with there are 52,576 available job openings and any additional life challenges that may be 17,284 resumes posted. ARIZONA@WORK barriers between them and education or is one of many great services Maricopa employment. In our district, the Genesis County offers, through our human services Youth Hub is at the Tempe Escalante Center department, to connect employers and job located at 2150 E. Orange St. They can be seekers. reached at (480) 350-5824 or (480) 350-5825. While Arizona unemployment rates have Maricopa County is also committed to decreased, there are still too many people out serving those with employment barriers of work. With local jobs being a cornerstone such as justice involvement, limited work of our economic recovery, it’s critical that we experience and those needing to improve do everything we can to help get people back basic work skills. to work, back in school, or retrained so they If you’re a business owner, Maricopa can start a new career of their choice. The County serves employers by connecting them more people who are working the better it is with the trained, skilled workers they need for the County and all of our residents. to grow their businesses and thrive in the 21st While statewide, ARIZONA@WORK has century. They offer customized recruitment a location in the East Valley at 735 N. Gilbert services, training, labor market insight and Rd., Suite 134, in Gilbert and can be reached employee development programs. at (602) 372-9700. At the career center, job Maricopa County plays an integral role seekers can meet with guidance counselors by partnering with federal, state and local to find jobs that fit their skill sets, meet with governments all striving to serve the citizens coaches to help with their resumes, attend of Maricopa County. With so many people set general and industry specific job fairs to meet to retire in the not too distant future, it has and network directly with valley employers, never been more important to ensure that as well as access other supportive services like we have employees with the skills employers transportation assistance and federal grant need the most. If you’ve ever thought about funds for training programs. Additionally, a changing careers, now is a perfect time to free public computer lab is open from 8 a.m. reach out to one of our centers to get started. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, allowing For more information, visit www. access to high-speed Internet to aid in job ArizonaAtWork.com/Maricopa. searches. Our centers also help military veterans Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and connect to the many services available to member of the Maricopa County Board of them. We owe veterans a lot for their service. Supervisors. Sadly, too many come home and have a hard BY DENNY BARNEY
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