SWHRA Seeks Comments on Local Strategic Plan

Southwest Human Resource Agency and the West tennessee Workforce Investment Board (LWIA-11) for Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy counties would like comments on the Local Strategic Plan for the Workforce Investment System under Title 1 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Click here to review the plan and get information on submitting comments.

Executive Director named TAHRA President

Mike Smith, Executive Director of Southwest HRA was elected President of TAHRA – Tennessee Association of Human Resource Agencies during the 2011 Annual Meeting recently held in Pigeon Forge, TN. Mr. Smith stated, “I want to engage all the agencies and bring all staff members to the board with best practices and program knowledge.”

TAHRA was established over 35 years ago to deliver social services to our communities. Every day we help more Tennesseans become self sufficient through the effective delivery of financial support, job training, transportation, nutritional services and many other important social services to our friends and neighbors in need. Our proven track record of delivering a broad selection of programs, our strong and experienced network of employees and volunteers, and our cost-effective administrative structure make us your best choice to deliver hope to your community.

Our association is formed by nine Human Resource Agencies delivering social services to all 95 counties in Tennessee. In 1973, the Tennessee General Assembly established the Human resource Agencies to be the delivery system for human services throughout the state.

Our agencies have pioneered many programs to help the people of Tennessee. Our seasoned staff leads state-wide initiatives to improve efficiencies in policies and procedures, streamline processes, and train staff and volunteers. Over half of a million Tennesseans are provided services by our agencies on a yearly basis. For more information visit ideliverhope.com.

West Tennessee Megasite Releases Video

Southwest HRA hosts Annual Meeting

Southwest HRA hosted their Annual Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Double Tree in Jackson, TN. The agency recorded the largest attendance ever for the event. Mike Smith, Executive Director, delivered his annual Report of Services for Fiscal Year 2011. Motivational speaker, Ollie Mannino, kept the audience attention with an inspiring personality test and speech.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation to Employee of the Year. The award went to transportation driver, David Brasfield. David became a driver in 2004 after retiring from law enforcement for 34 years. He has never received a complaint but has received numerous calls about his great service.

Transportation “Roadeo”

The Southwest HRA Rural Transportation Department recently held yearly training for all their drivers. While at the training, employees were recognized for years of service. Employees with five years of service include: DeAngelo Spight, Linda Jackson and Willie Ann Jones. Those with ten years of service included: Chester Cox, Mattie Allen and Donna Dickey. Peggy Steele was recognized for 15 years of service.

After training each day, drivers competed in a “Roadeo” with six different obstacles they had to maneuver their vehicles through. The winners of the “Roadeo” were Anna Brag and Sand Nixon. They will now compete in the state-wide “Roadeo” at the Tennessee Public Transportation Association Conference in Chattanooga, TN on November 3, 2011. Winning drivers will compete in the nationals May 20-25, 2012 in Baltimore, MD.

Thanksgiving Boxes for Head Start Families

The Southwest HRA family will celebrate Thanksgiving on Monday, November, 21, 2011 at the Central Office. Each department will provide one course for the Thanksgiving meal and each employee will be asked to provide canned goods, paper goods or cleaning supplies before they participate in the meal. These items will be collected and then distributed to Head Start families before the holiday. Between 20-25 families are served each year.

“Let Us Have a Little Christmas” Approaches

This year will be the agency’s third year to raise funds and provide Christmas boxes to our Senior Citizens during the Holidays. The program targets senior citizens who will have little or no family contact during the holiday season. During the last two years we have served nearly 200 Seniors with boxes of food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and gifts. This year the agency will raise funds once again to help with the cost of the boxes. We will have a “Jewelry” show/sale on Monday, November 21st from 2:00-7:00 with proceeds benefiting the program and an Agency Cookbook will be sold to raise funds for the program as well. If you would like more information about the Jewelry show or cookbook please contact Edna Johnson or Patti Pickler at 1-800-497-1286. Donations to the program can be sent to Southwest HRA, P.O. Box 264, Henderson, TN 38340

Community Service Center Updates

Be safe and stay connected with a free government-supported cell phone and up to 250 free monthly minutes. Free minutes every month for: Local and Long Distance Calling and Text Messaging. Plus: FREE 411 Directory Assistance, FREE 911 Emergency Tracking, NO contracts, NO credit checks, NO fees.

Southwest HRA is a sponsor of the SafeLink wireless cell phone service. You may apply at your local Southwest HRA Community Service Center and get your phone faster. Our centers are open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Commodity applications are now being taken at the Community Service Centers in each county. The upcoming schedule for Commodity distribution is:

• October 6, 2011 Haywood County
• October 13, 2011 Decatur County
• October 20, 2011 Madison County
• October 27, 2011 Hardin County
• November 3, 2011 McNairy County
• November 10, 2011 Hardeman County
• November 17, 2011 Henderson County
• November 23, 2011 Chester County

“Wellness Works”

The Wellness Works program held a “Lunch and Learn” on Wednesday, October 5th at the Central Office. Speaking to the staff of approximately 60 was Rhonda Richardson, a breast cancer survivor. She spoke about the positive thoughts and her family support during her treatments. You can visit her BlogSpot called “Quilting, Chemo and Quiet Time”.

Staff members participated in the Alzheimer’s Walk for a Cure on Saturday, October 15th. Eight employees and family members participated in the walk and raised nearly $500 for the cause.

Voluntary Benefits Fairs will be 11/7-11/10 at various places throughout the counties. ALL INSURANCE ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES MUST ATTEND ONE OF THE SESSIONS TO MEET WITH A COLONIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW AND SIGN A 2012 ANNUAL ENROLLMENT ELECTION FORM.

Representatives from Colonial, AFLAC, Modern Woodman of America, Life Insurance Company of Alabama and Liberty National have been invited to attend the Fair.

Get your Flu Shot before November 30, 2012 and receive credit in the Wellness Works program.

Christy McMahan, Grant Writer and Special Projects, participated in the Susan G. Coman “Race for the Cure” in Atlanta recently. She completed a 3-day, 20 mile per day walk to raise money for Breast Cancer research. There were 2400 walkers that included Christy and long-time friend Tonia Brown who is a two time breast cancer survivor.

SWHRA/SWCDC Golf Tournament Update

The SWHRA/SWCDC 4th annual Golf Tournament was held on September 20th at the Chickasaw Golf Tournament. First Flight Champions were the Southwest Tennessee Development District team, represented by: Reid Barker, Bart Barker, Jeremy Peddy and Brian Bain.

Tournament proceeds go to the CDC to help purchase low-income and handicap housing.t

Around the Agency

• SWCDC has partnered with the Jackson Community Redevelopment Agency to rehab homes in the Lambuth area of Jackson. Watch your local paper for more announcements about the project.
  
  
• The NEG program received by the Area 11 WIA program received recognition in Chester County for the work done with the grant money on the Chester County Fire Department that was flooded earlier in the year. The Chester County Highway Department added extra manpower to work on county roads in an effort to repair potholes that developed due to the heavy rains. Also, an extraordinary amount of debris and garbage has been delivered to the Solid Waste Dept from residents that were affected by the storms and flood waters. Extra manpower was also add at this department to assist in the overload.
  
  
• Several groups will step up their volunteer efforts during the holidays for the Meals on Wheels Program to assist homebound seniors. St. Mary’s Catholic School prepares a turkey dinner complete with pumpkin pie. Volunteers will deliver these meals on Thanksgiving morning. The Bemis United Methodist Church prepares and delivers meals to over 200 people, including many of our Meals on Wheels clients who live at the New Southern apartments. The First Presbyterian Church takes care of a Christmas Eve meal. The meal will be purchased from the Old Country Store. Church members will then deliver them to our homebound seniors.
  
  A special “thank you” goes to a group of ladies called Frosty Friends. These ladies provide small treats to our homebound Senior citizens for all the holidays during the calendar year. They come up with the treats to be delivered with their meals.
  
  “The caring actions of our dedicated volunteers and the Jackson community is a bright light in these sick and elderly people’s lives”, stated Maudie Dokkin, Lewis Center Director.