Residents in the WSOS four-county service area will have access to three new programs if the proposals approved Tuesday by the Board of Directors are funded. Another proposal approved will provide tax preparation and public benefits screening to 300 households in the area.

 

            The largest proposal for $550,000 will be used to provide a pre-apprenticeship training program for 100 eligible unemployed adults, veterans, women, and minority populations. The program will include tutoring, mentoring, on-the-job training, education and instruction as well as apprenticeship and internship opportunities in the construction trades. Participants will be drawn from the Economic Development Region 2 of Williams, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa and Erie counties.  

 

            WSOS is seeking this grant in partnership with the Northwestern Ohio Construction Education Center and in collaboration with the Alliance of Construction Professionals of Northwest Ohio, Four-County Career Center, Penta Adult Career Center and the Workforce Investment Board of Lucas County.

 

            A second proposal is being submitted on behalf of HARCATUS TRI-County Community Action. This $190,000 proposal will establish a Green Ohio Corps workforce development initiative for 15 young adults ages 18-24 years old in energy efficiency and renewable energy training. HARCATUS serves Harrison, Carroll, and Tuscarawas counties. WSOS will serve as the fiscal and reporting agent for the grant.

 

            Another proposal will provide training in clean energy in the WSOS service area to participants enrolled in the Corps Network. This $250,000 proposal will engage 40 young adults ages 18-24 years old in housing rehabilitation, weatherization, and energy-
 

 

efficient services. These participants will provide 900 hours of service. In return, they will receive education al awards at the end of their terms of service.

 

            A $125,000 proposal, submitted in collaboration with The Sandusky County Sheriff’s department, Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC), Fremont City Police Department, local judges and probation offices, will seek to use service as a strategy to re-engage formerly incarcerated and court-involved youth in their communities.

 

            If funded 20 youth will be enrolled as AmeriCorps participants and will be provided with case management, education and employment preparation, life skills development, and service projects. These youth will also receive education awards at the end of their 900-hour term of service.

 

            WSOS is also seeking $28,100 to be used to help the Ohio Benefit Bank program to assist area residents with free income tax preparation and filing as well as other public benefits screening. These initiatives are expected to provide assistance for 300 households.

 

            In other business, the board:

·        Approved the renewal of two grants currently being operated by the organization

·        Elected Chairperson Mel Browning, Vice Chairperson Paul Harrison, Secretary/Treasurer Pam Kindle as well as at-large members Monica Thompson, Bobbie Lane of Wood County, Beverly Hemmerly Lake of Seneca County, and Jennifer Buxton of Ottawa County to serve as the executive committee of the Board of Directors.

 

For more information on any of WSOS services, call 419-334-8911 or toll free at 1-800-775-9767. The Board of Directors meets on the second Tuesday of each month and is open to the public.