February 2010
Program assists Lake County residents impacted by recession
By Alan Van Ormer
At least 23 people who have lost their jobs during the recession have been provided assistance through an established program that has been supplemented with funds from the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, Citibank and South Dakota Department of Labor.
The Lake Area Improvement Corporation Worker Assistance Program started in October using funds from the three entities to assist Lake County residents affected by the recession and downturn in the economy. The Madison Department of Labor staff accepts the applications for assistance, while the LAIC approves the requests. The program has made it possible for additional support for workers by supplementing Department of Labor workforce training supportive service monies that are used to assist those who are in training programs.
“The program has worked very well,” said Jim Baltzer, field office manager for the South Dakota Department of Labor. “The need is there. We have been able to identify individuals and have encouraged them to apply for the funds that they may have otherwise not even known about. The timing couldn’t have been any better to implement the program because of the recession and the loss of jobs we have experienced.”
Part of the funding of the program comes from Citibank. In 2008, in recognition of the South Dakota Community Foundation’s 20th anniversary, Citi announced a 5-year, $100,000 commitment to the South Dakota Community Foundation.
“The goal is to work with the South Dakota Community Foundation and Bob Sutton to find good economic development organizations and projects around South Dakota that Citi will invest its annual $20,000 in,” said Jerry Nachtigal, vice president of public and government affairs for Citi. “Another goal is to work with communities to start a fund with the South Dakota Community Foundation to provide economic development benefits in those communities for years to come.”
Citi contributed its first $20,000 to the Lake Area Improvement Corporation Worker Assistance Program. The LAIC and South Dakota Department of Labor each contributed $20,000.
Citibank brought the idea of starting a workforce development program to the foundation, who in turn served as an intermediary between the LAIC and Citibank, said Bob Sutton, who is the president of the South Dakota Community Foundation based in Pierre.
“Lake County is one of the counties in South Dakota that has truly seen some of the effects of unemployment rise in the United States,” Sutton said. “Taking the initiative to do something on your own is commendable for Lake County.”
The South Dakota Community Foundation brings donors and organizations together to help with charitable and philanthropically goals. Currently, the foundation manages an estimated $112 million in endowment funds; the earnings assist charitable organizations throughout the state.
Since its inception in October, the worker assistance program has assisted dislocated workers with transportation services, daycare services, medical assistance, mortgage payments, car payments, health insurance premiums, rental assistance, utility payments and prescription medication.
“It has provided them hope,” Baltzer said. “There is definitely a spirit of people coming together and helping people get through the tough times.”