Common sense and government don't seem to mix

Greetings!

I had a frustrating experience this week.

A company I worked for at the beginning of the year offers a basic tax course each fall. The tuition is free, but $75 is required for books and materials. It's an opportunity I've been anticipating all summer.

If you've been following, you know I'm currently looking for work. I haven't worked since I worked for the aforementioned company, so that seventy-five bucks doesn't exist.

I talked to a counselor at Utah Dept. of Workforce Services. They sometimes help with education costs.
The counselor told me, since this particular company wasn't on their approved list, they would not provide assistance.

But, should I want to enter a program at a community or career college, they would help with that. I was insructed to talk to academic advisors about a program in which I was interested and get back to my counselor within 30 days.

Maybe I'm just impatient, or I'm missing something. Doesn't make more sense to spend less to move me toward a job/career more quickly? The tax course is is approximately 3 or 4 months.  Although it doesn't guarantee me a job with the company, the chances are probably good. I would in any case have a new skill by the end of the year. An associates degeree would take 2 years and could cost thousands of dollars.

Explain that logic to me.

Also this week, I applied for temporary work at the upcoming Utah State Fair. The receptionist and I got to talking, and she told me they had double the applications as last year, over 400, with still a week until the fair begins.

That gives you a good idea of how bad the unemployment rate is, although one article this week claims we're in recovery. Looks like there's hope on the horizon.

Here's this weeks links to articles of interest to homeless people and their supporters:

from the Salt Lake Tribune:
Death of man in Jordan River accidental, police say
Melinda Rogers

Unoccupied public housing outrages Utah activists
The homes are now ready to sell, officials say. By Julia Lyon

Family support center offers help in a crisis

Nonprofit agency says a new, longer term day care is planned to be built near the Midvale nursery.
By María Villaseñor
Photo by Al Hartmann Salt Lake Tribune

Nothing from The Deseret News this week.


from the New York Times:
Man Dies After Fight at Homeless Shelter By Christine Hauser

Letter: Homeless Female Veterans "Each night an estimated 4,000 female veterans are homeless in the United States..."

and more NYT articles on homelessness HERE.
photoby Monica Almeida New York Times
from  Reuters:
New U.S. jobless claims fell last week

Global recession ending: OECD

U.S. private job losses fall, factory orders rise

Risks to U.S. economy have eased "considerably": Fed 
 
That's the week's wrap. See you next Friday
 
your editor