Uniontown, PA- On Tuesday, September 13, 2005, representatives from the PA CareerLink-Fayette held a meeting to develop a plan for assisting Hurricane Katrina victims that might relocate to Fayette County. In attendance were all interested county, state, and federal agencies, as well as local non-profits. A plan was formalized which allowed CareerLink to be the central access point for all victims.

The first customers who were referred to the CareerLink from the Gulf Coast arrived Wednesday, September 14, 2005. A few customers were processed that day, including 74 year old Joseph Yodonza, a Katrina evacuee from Metairie, LA. Mr. Yodonza lived in Metairie with his wife, but was born in Republic, PA. After the destruction occurred in Louisiana, he chose to come back to Fayette County to live in the area in which he was raised and seek the help of a few relatives who still reside here. Once Joseph's paperwork was processed, he was aided by the Red Cross, who provided new clothing, food vouchers, and other necessities. Other community organizations, including the Fayette County Assistance Office, were able to provide a car repair allowance, food stamps, and medical care. Additionally, the Area Agency on Aging worked with Joseph to obtain job interviews at Wal-Mart and other area businesses, all within a few hours of meeting him. AAA also took the extraordinary step to take Joseph to the Salvation Army for clothing and other provisions; they have also agreed to provide him with a paid work experience as a maintenance worker at the Fayette County Community Action Agency, should Joseph not gain employment at Wal-Mart. All of this was accomplished within four hours of Mr. Yodonza's arrival at the Fayette CareerLink. He and his wife were very thankful and extremely satisfied by the CareerLink's quick response and that of its partnering agencies.

The amazing response to this one gentleman has also been a learning experience for all CareerLink staff, and has taught them that community service integration can have a very positive result. This affirmative example of collaboration served well as a positive learning experience for CareerLink staff and its collaborators.

We would like to congratulate the partners at the Fayette CareerLink, including our own PIC staff who work there, and thank them for a job well done.