Ascentra, Grow Clinton work to offer services to former Tyson employees

While 2,500 former employees at the Tyson Foods Plant in Joslin, Illinois try to figure out what's next, local organizations in the Quad Cities Area are stepping in to help out. With a large number of workers seeking out new job opportunities, it could take a little extra time for them to find their next jobs, meaning some may experience financial strains.

"Especially in a situation like this, it's a very hard situation to navigate," said Allie Caves, a spokesperson with Ascentra Credit Union.

Ascentra Credit Union was partnered with the plant before it closed and offered services to workers. Now representatives with Ascentra say the credit union has the expertise to help former employees searching for their next step.

"Having help from people who are experts and understand some of the tools and tricks you can use that maybe the general person doesn't know, will really help guide them through this situation a lot easier," said Caves.

Caves recommends former employees could take some of Ascentra's financial classes or seek free one-on-one coaching. Using food pantries and other resources in the community is key.

"Those services exist for a reason," said Caves. "They're there to help you, so you shouldn't be ashamed of taking advantage of those when you actually need them."

Saving on groceries and other day-to-day costs can allow people to put money aside for important bills - those fixed costs needed to live. For some workers, they might pass multiple payments on rent and other bills before they land a job, or unemployment checks begin to kick in.

"Anytime that you're on a limited income, it's always good to think ahead," said Caves. "So, if you've got rent that's due on a regular basis, you've got utilities due on a regular basis, you're going to immediately want to track that money and set it aside."

Organizations like Grow Clinton are working to help the employees find their next jobs as soon as possible. Grow Clinton created a service called Cap App that allows people to reach more companies looking to hire with just one click of a button.

"Instead of applying at 50 different companies, you can send this to me with your resume, and I will send it to 50 people," said Stacy Borgeson, the Grow Clinton director of workforce development.

Borgeson and Grow Clinton can use their connections with surrounding local companies to make sure job seekers don't miss a potential match just because they aren't aware of it. Grow Clinton works to bridge the gap between the employers and potential employees.

Multiple job fairs are planned over the coming weeks. A job fair will be held Sep. 2 at Vibrant Arena, Moline. The Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees will host job-application workshops on Sep. 8 and Sep 14 at the Moline Public Library, which plans to host a job fair soon.

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