Volunteers step up to help unemployed

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Those looking for a job or for an unemployment check might find some answers as close as a local library or church.

"During times of need, people turn to their libraries and their churches, their faith based organizations, to find new places where they can go to file for unemployment benefits. So we wanted to assist those people and provide more access to Hoosiers who need those services," said Marc Lotter of the Department of Workforce Development.

Workforce development and the state of Indiana are donating up to 200 computers to help with the unemployment crisis. Over 100 volunteers from around the state showed up to learn how to use those computers.

"We are going to have a couple of computers in our foyer so people can come in and look for jobs and apply for their unemployment," said Amy Christiansen of North Liberty Christian Church.

The goal of the program is to give people more computer access and more locations to apply for unemployment. But the overall plan is also to help workers get back to work.

"There will definitely be job search capabilities on these computers in addition to the unemployment benefits. And that's really what we want people to do. We want them to get in, get used to the system -- whether that be for receiving unemployment benefits -- and then begin that job search project and that job search process," said Lotter.

The computers will be in place for at least a year and volunteers are ready to help fellow Hoosiers.

"I hope that I can help guide them and inform them on other ways of finding employment because a lot of people don't really know the opportunities and ways that are out there to find jobs," said Christiansen.

Unemployment benefits that are processed online are usually paid within two days after approval.

For more information on how a local library or faith-based group can get involved with the program, call Valerie Kroeger at 317-234-4026.