For better or for worse, I hope the hassle of finding a proper housing is over and homelessness isn’t threatening us anymore! 🙂 Now when we know so much about the opportunities provided by our government and are involved with the local charity organizations, when we are getting assistance with our material needs and lots of spiritual support, let’s get closer to actually improving our financial situation and making our house more convenient and ourselves — more attractive, presentable and self-confident. 🙂

LOOKING FOR A JOB

You know, I personally have always hated searching for a new job — this process is always extremely nervous and hectic for me, I don’t like interviews and whatever is connected with applying for a new position…  As for me, I would prefer having some super computer with a powerful artificial intellect to collect and keep my data, get me a mutually convenient position and schedule and just tell me when to start my shift! 🙂 LOL I’m actually pretty sure that there will be the day when jobs will be given this way, but until that bright fussless future becomes reality we need to search for the jobs ourselves.

In my own humble opinion, the situation where you can find no job at all hardly exists, the question is whether you like what they have for you and if it makes sense working for such kinda money… 🙂 But just getting some sort of an income doesn’t seem hard at all, and the bigger the city, the easier it is to earn your money. Even though we hear and see gozzillion of advertised training, classes and career seminars (those all are indeed pretty pricey, by the way!), in our case we don’t need anything super extravagant, just some sufficient income to start with. So, I won’t waste time publishing here tons of links, addresses and phone numbers, you will find all that yourself if needed. Let’s talk about just basic ways to find a job, shall we? 🙂 Here are some ways to do that, plain and simple:

• create and print out a couple of samples of your resume
• think and set your requirements and needs
• visit governmental employment services
• check out local Workforce Resource for education, employment and assistance
• sign up for daily job offers online
• watch for the signs “NOW HIRING” straight from employers and apply
• use directions and help from charity organizations
• try reading Jobs column in your local newspaper

There are some unique situations in life so it wouldn’t hurt to include some employment search options for people with disabilities, students, youth, etc. And again — first and foremost you should check out what our government services have to offer. In addition, here are some more destinations to consider.

1) Life House
102 W First Street
Phone: (218) 722-7431
Mon-Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Life House is dedicated to helping young people in trouble, including homeless and runaway youth, for more information please visit www.lifehouseduluth.org In this organization you can get help with:

• Finding a job
• Counseling
• Completing GED or high school
• Finding or keeping housing (deposits, utilities, evictions, etc.)
• Getting benefits and health insurance
• Getting ID and birth certificates
• Connecting to community resources

2) Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Phone: 800-328-9095
Phone: (651) 259-7366

MVRS is created especially as employment and career services for Minnesotans with disabilities. If you have a physical or mental disability that makes it hard to find work or keep a job, you may be eligible for this State program. Please visit www.mn.gov./deed/vrs for more information and to apply. Vocational Rehabilitation Services may include:

• Rehabilitation counseling
• Job training
• Job placement
• Services to keep your job
• Assistive technology

3) Safe Haven Resource Center
414 W 1st St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 728-6481
Phone: (877) 880-3094

If you’re a victim of domestic abuse Safe Haven offers the resources and support that lead to a life free from violence. Every woman can find there safety, space and the time to heal. Please visit www.safehaven.org for more information. The Resources Center provides:

• 24h emergency assistance for victims of domestic abuse
• temporary shelter for women and children
• community based support and education
• referral programs for jobs, education and permanent housing
• parenting support, education and family
• programs for children, including homework help, advocacy and events like field trips
• support with goal-setting and dealing with life changes

4) Internship jobs
Minnesota WorkForce Center
320 W 2nd St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 726-2724

If you are at least 16 years old, have a firm career goal and considering, currently pursuing or graduated from a training program and can benefit from hands-on work experience you probably make a perfect candidate for the Job Training Internship program! Please visit www.jobtrainingmn.org for more information. When you become an intern, you help yourself

• earn while learning a job you enjoy
• refine and apply skills directly related to your career field of interest
• build confidence and increase knowledge in your selective skills
• obtain an advantageous foothold in the job market
• reinforce your training through actual work experiences
• enhance your resume with the experience employers value

I suppose I have to point your attention to one pretty strange and unpleasant thing that is going on now in our society. I have no clue how, but sometimes if you are just a simple hardworking low line income individual the more you make the less you can afford and the more poorly and deeper in debt and fear you’re living… It seems totally irrational and wrong, but that’s the case nowadays. Just for the sake of a common sense I won’t discuss this phenomena too widely here and better stay away from researching what the real reason for such an unjust approach is and who’s guilty of that… I just want you to keep in mind one simple fact: to have a more or less calm life in this country you (somehow by the most weird twist and against any logic) gotta be either very rich or very poor. So please do some math before setting your financial goals. Enough said.

FILING TAXES

And just to finalize the income-related actions at this point, here’s the referral to our most beloved event of the year, the action we all are happily waiting for just like little kids for Christmas, the process we’re constantly dreaming about and every year accomplish it with enormous gratitude to our Destiny for giving us such a delight… I’m talking about the most interesting event ever invented by humanity, our TAX PREPARATION of course!!! LOL 😀 😀 😀

Free Tax Sites
Community Action Duluth
2424 W 5th St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 726-1665

FREE CELL PHONE AND INTERNET

Federal Lifeline Program — Since 1985, the Lifeline program has provided a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers to ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that phone service brings, including being able to connect to jobs, family and emergency services. Lifeline is part of the Universal Service Fund. The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. Please visit Lifeline@fcc.gov for more information.

The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is responsible for data collection and maintenance, support calculation, and disbursement for the low-income program. USAC’s website provides information regarding administrative aspects of the low-income program, as well as program requirements.

LEGAL AID

We live in a World where everyone is suing each other, so the lawyers firmly became as important in our lives as, say, doctors or dentists. Nowadays it’s extremely hard to imagine modern society without a need of a personal lawyer, that’s probably why those guys never sit without their highly paid work. 🙂 The problem is that when we might need some legal aid we usually can’t afford hiring a lawyer and that’s why we might possibly end in financial crisis, losing our property or health. Fortunately, there are still some pro-bono lawyers willing to help for no charge at all and I’m truly thankful to these guys for giving us, low income individuals, a ray of hope… 🙂 Learn more at www.lasnem.org

Legal Aid Duluth
302 Ordean Building
424 West Superior Street
Phone: (218) 623-8100

Already mentioned above, Safe Haven Resource Center kindly provides the victims of domestic abuse with legal aid services among many others. Please visit www.safehaven.org for more information. The Center offers

• Legal advocacy — help with obtaining restraining orders and navigating the criminal justice system
• Safety planning, drop-in center, support groups, information and referrals
• Opportunities to meet with police, attorneys, therapists, healthcare providers, housing specialists, etc.

Safe Haven Resource Center
414 W 1st St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 728-6481
Phone: (877) 880-3094

CLOTHING, BED AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Unfortunately, unlike my cat we were born furless and need some clothing LOL! 🙂 Of course it’s important to have a more or less sufficient wardrobe to keep it up with the changing seasons and occasions, but for the starting point it’s enough just to make sure we  look clean, neat and appropriate. Our little place we now call home may need some furniture too and there’s always a need for some additional household items like kitchenware or cleaning supplies. To avoid spending too much on all mentioned above while searching for a job or stabilizing your income, it might be a good idea to use some of the charity and low-cost options listed to provide for basic needs clothing and shoes. Again, here are some places for Twin Ports:

1) The Salvation Army
215S 27th Ave W
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 722-7934
Monday and Tuesday 9:00-11:30 am

2) Teen Closet
Lutheran Social Services Program
Phone: (218) 428-0775
By appointment only!

3) Damiano Center Clothing Exchange
206 W 4th St
Duluth MN
Phone: (218) 722-5991
Mon, Wed and Fri 9:00-3:00 pm
Saturday 10:00-2:00 pm

4) Kid’s Closet Program
Call your child’s school for a referral

5) H.D.C. Furniture Program
Phone: (218) 728-3931
There is a small charge for the furniture which includes delivery

SOME MORE GOOD PROGRAMS

The Salvation Army’s Qualification for Gas Vouchers and Bus Passes is one more program useful program that totally deserves our attention! To qualify, applicants must be employed, attending school or frequent medical appointments.If employed on the company letterhead you must have the following: date started, rate of pay, hours worked per week. If attending school, letterhead from the school stating the date you started and a current clas schedule. Medical appointments — five or more appointments in a four week period, letter from medical facility where medical care is being provided with dates and times of appointments. for gas vouchers must provide current driver’s license. Please call (218) 722-7934 prior to coming in to see if funding is available.

Community Action Duluth is one of the best community agency in the whole Northland! It’s indeed impressive how much help and information they are ready to provide for those who need it most — from the emergency shelter to financial advice and counseling on buying a home and investing money. I’m happy to present the Community Action Duluth info on this website, please visit www.communityactionduluth.org to learn mo. The following information is from Community Action Duluth:

Download our agency brochure here.

Our Mission

To empower and engage our community to eliminate poverty, and create prosperity and equity in the lives of the people we serve.

We envision a community where individuals and families can prosper, with access to quality education, affordable housing, healthcare, gainful employment, and meaningful involvement in civic life.

We believe community coordinated partnerships empower people with low incomes to find the support, resources, and relationships they need to overcome economic, racial, and/or cultural barriers that prevent them from establishing and maintaining self-sufficient and connected lives.

Our Values

• Respect. We value the strengths and assets of all people and organizations with whom we partner.
• Integrity. We believe in listening honestly, processing information accurately, and following through on our commitments.
• Cultural Competence. We value meaningful relationships between people of diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Optimism. We believe it is possible for Duluth residents and organizations to improve the quality of life for everyone.

Our Programs

Our programs mobilize people with low incomes and the broader community to build assets that prevent poverty, create equality, and strengthen our social fabric. Our mission and vision come to life through our programs. Community partnerships are formed and people with low incomes find the support, resources, and relationships they need to overcome economic, racial, and cultural barriers that prevent them from establishing and maintaining self-sufficient, connected lives.

Click here to view our program calendar for workshops, classes, and events.

We are now a Financial Opportunity Center

Building Assets

Increasing Income

Engaging the Community

Going Green