Stimulus expands local opportunity

NORFOLK, Va. - "It's like wrapping it up so no air gets in here," Shirley Cochrane told WAVY.com as STOP organization crews insulated her home to lower her energy bills.

"I've checked in the windows, I could have only done one at a time. They're expensive, very expensive. And the attic would have cost about $600."

The constant activity at Cochrane's home Friday cost her nothing.
It was part of the $787 Billion federal stimulus package.
Third District Congressman Bobby Scott visited Cochrane after announcing millions of dollars are coming to the region for low income families.
"The winterization program will allow approximately 700 homes to be winterized," Scott said.

Three agencies will get more than $12 Million. The Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project, or STOP will get about $10 Million. STOP serves the largest population in the region. It's resources serve all of South Hampton Roads from Southampton and Isle of Wight Counties to Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

Agency leaders explained most of the money will go to weatherization, but youth employment and adult job training projects will get cash too.
Wendell Braxton, Executive Director for the Office of Human Affairs said, "We want to certainly be a player as far as being able to significantly increase number of jobs in this area specifically for adults."

Braxton's agency serves Newport News and Hampton. He said he plans to use federal funds to expand training programs, and create a new center to provide emergency assistance to low income families in the Northern part of Newport News.

STOP Executive Director, Edith Jones said, "We will train and certify pharmacy technicians, as well as certified nursing assistants."

Every Head Start program in the region will get a boost.
Reba Bolden said she is looking to take the program from part-day to full-day classes as the Executive Director of the Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency.
Braxton too, "We will be expanding services we offer children through the Head start program by expanding hours from part day to full day."

Jones added, "We need new buses, so some of this money we will use to improve the transportation system here."

Expansions in Head Start and weatherization mean expanded job opportunities.
Bolden said, "We're looking to hire additional folk for crews to increase the number of crews we have. We're looking to provide work on additional homes."

Rep. Scott said, "By providing these additional resources through the recovery act, our local community action agencies are creating and enhancing job opportunities right here in our local community."

Each agency representative reported they would likely hire additional Head Start staff members.

STOP and the W-JCC Community Action Agency leaders said they expect to hire local sub-contractors to help with an increased work load through the weatherization programs.

Weatherization jobs are available in Southside Hampton Roads and in the Williamsburg-JCC area.
To find out about positions, or if you need weatherization services call STOP at 757-858-1360 or the Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency at 757-229-9332.

The agency leaders told WAVY.com they are still working on details for youth summer jobs, Head Start expansions, and new job training programs.