For most people, a dream summer vacation involves cabins, lakes and sunny fun. But Maria Blue's recent layoff from her care-taking job has left her spending the summer break skimming through classified ads.
"I've never taken off time for vacation," she said. "So this is kind of my vacation."
Blue was one of hundreds of unemployed workers visiting the Anoka County Workforce Center one day last week. From seeking advice on filing for unemployment to talking with job recruiters and applying for additional training courses, the center offers an array of resources for the 7.8 percent of Minnesotans currently out of work.
The workforce center, off 89th Avenue NE in Blaine, is the largest of the 50 or so centers in the state, bringing in 9.4 percent of the overall traffic, said director Jerry Vitzthum.
In the past two years, the number of clients using the center's services has grown exponentially, bringing in more than five times as many people in 2009, Vitzthum said.
"The numbers have increased substantially since the recession," he said.
In March, the center received more than $1,539,000 in federal stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It was to boost targeted programs for youth, laid-off workers, low-income adults and individuals 65 and older. The center's job-training center also got funds to cover staffing costs associated with newly extended business hours, Vitzthum said.
But the growing demand for services has almost used up the center's stimulus money.
"It was very, very helpful, but it is running out fast," Vitzthum said. "We are essentially out of money."
The office's resource center -- a labyrinth of libraries, recruiting nooks and computer crannies -- filled up one afternoon last week as laid-off employees came in looking for jobs.
With the stimulus money, resource center coordinator Tracy Rohloff said she was able to purchase additional training computers, which are typically full by noon each day, with waiting lists of clients ready to step in as soon as someone leaves.
"We're taking it a day at a time," Rohloff said. After the stimulus money runs out, she said, "There will still be the need. That won't stop."
The staff is heartened by the little celebrations that occur when someone finds a job. To mark the moment, they bang a large metal gong.
"It makes a beautiful sound," Rohloff said, "if you hit it right."
The gong has been ringing more often since the stimulus money came in, she said. But for how much longer, no one knows.
Hoping for more grant money
That's why the center is hoping for a second round of grant money, to help continue its outreach work for the growing numbers of blue-collar workers being laid off in the area.
Vitzthum said this is a great time for people to visit the center and explore their future careers, practice interviewing and look for a job.
"People have to keep their heads up," he said. "This, too, will pass, we hope."
- Kathryn Nelson is a freelance writer.