"Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is a success!" That success has come from numerous agencies that have joined together to provide assistance to former Pillowtex employees. Many people have lost their jobs and been out of work since Pillowtex, Inc. announced their closing on July 30. Agencies and the people behind those agencies throughout the Centralina region have teamed up to reach out and embrace those without employment that need emergency assistance.

Even before the official closing, the community saw the need to provide help immediately. A Community Task Force was formed in June. The task force, guided by Centralina WDB member and Cabarrus County DSS director Jim Cook, Cooperative Christian Ministries director Betty Jean Prewitt, and from United Way Charles Page and Marti Morris, brought together a variety of service agencies, organizations, churches, and interested individuals to help with immediate assistance with Pillowtex employees, many of whom had been on temporary layoff since May. The task force developed the idea of a Community Service Center. The center, hosted by Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church in Kannapolis, serves as a contact point for emergency assistance and help. A range of services are being provided including job search assistance, career counseling, consumer credit counseling, alternative health insurance options, housing assistance, food assistance, mental health counseling, and pet food assistance, and any other need that may be present.

Additionally, the local JobLink Career Centers, in partnership with the Employment Security Commission, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Cabarrus County Department of Social Services, and the Centralina Workforce Development Board, have established a JobLink Career Center - Resource Service Center at the old Pillowtex Plant 4 in Kannapolis. Representatives from ESC, Rowan-Cabarrus CC, DSS, and other agencies are at the center to assist the former Pillowtex employees with job search, unemployment insurance, retraining options, adult basic education assistance, resume preparation, and access to other services to help transition the individuals into employment. The center also has a career resource room with computers that individuals can use to look for jobs.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that National Emergency Grant funds were being made available to assist over 4,000 workers dislocated from Pillowtex Corporation in Cabarrus, Rowan, and Rockingham Counties. "We want to do everything we can to help the workers of Pillowtex. Rapid Response teams were dispatched immediately on site to help workers with their pension and health benefits," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. The $20.6 million grant will help Pillowtex's workers access training to prepare them for new job opportunities. These funds combined with other state and local resources will be used to help with education, retraining, and job placement.

The following organizations and agencies (among many others) are to be commended for their continuous hard work and effort:

The Centralina Workforce Development Board initiated a "Special Resources for Pillowtex Employees" section on the Board's website - www.centralinaworks.com - to provide contact information, where to get help, how to help the former employees, health care information, special events (job fairs, etc.), and links to important agencies and services. The site is regularly updated. For more information or to find out how you can help please visit www.centralinaworks.com/pillowtex.htm

As we continue our work with the former employees of Pillowtex, please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers.