Turning Point awarded grass roots grant
Congressman Mike Turner presents agency with $75,000 check from Department of Labor.
By Gita Balakrishnan, The Times-Gazette Staff Reporter
U.S. Representative Mike Turner (R-Centerville) shakes the hand of a Turning Point employee as executive director LuAnn Winkle watches in the background. Turner was visiting the facility yesterday to present a grant award check for $75,000 to the facility to upgrade its programs.
While there to present a $75,000 grant award check, United States Representative Mike Turner (R-Centerville) visited the Turning Point facility in Hillsboro yesterday afternoon.
Turning Point had been awarded the grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's $4 million initiative called, "Small Grass Roots Organization Connecting with the One-Stop Delivery System Grant Program." It was one of 55 entities in the state that had applied for the grant and received monies.
The funds will be used to provide employment training to disadvantaged Appalachian residents in the community, where eligible participants will have the opportunity to train for manufacturing jobs on high tech pneumatic machines used in the automotive industry.
"I was so excited to come to this facility because these facilities are so important in changing the lives of people in the community," Turner told the group, comprised of the Turning Point staff, Highland County Commissioners, the board of trustees, and other prominent figures in Highland County.
"What we're seeing today is that you really need a higher level of education and what you do here at Turning Point is a focused effort for the need for education and training combined with a partnership with the community," Turner said.
Cooperation and reciprocal referrals between Turning Point and the Highland County One-Stop is an integral part of the grant program, allowing individuals in the program to have confidence that job openings are available upon completion of the program.
"What you do here is look at your community to see what the job base is here. Then you know that all the individuals that train here are needed by the businesses here. Your outreach for individuals coming here and for the community really is to be commended," Turner said.
Together with its project partners, Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development and Southern State Community College, Turning Point will expand its existing employment-training opportunities. The program will begin immediately and continue for 18 months.
Commenting on the importance of providing funds for similar facilities, Turner said, "Places like Turning Point can really change peoples' lives and give job training and skill assistance so people can economically provide for their families.”
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