Center to help newly unemployed

Adrienne Packer

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 10:02 a.m.

About 10,000 residents who lost their jobs as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will soon be able to visit a one-stop service center to inquire about unemployment benefits and seek help with medical costs and utility bills.

The Culinary Union and Clark County officials met last weekend to ponder ways to alleviate some of the anxiety that accompanies unemployment.

County Commission chairman Dario Herrera and union staff director D. Taylor agreed to invite various companies and social service organizations to set up booths next week at the main union hall.

County officials hope dislocated workers will be less discouraged if they don't have to visit several offices or wait hours on the phone before receiving service.

"It made sense," Herrera said Wednesday. "The idea of a one-stop center ... people already have to deal with the frustration of the financial disabilities related to being laid off. They don't want the additional frustration of driving across the valley to seek services."

Although hours for the center have not been established, Herrera said the hall will be open to any dislocated worker -- union or non-union -- until the local economy bounces back.

Herrera said telephone lines to the unemployment office have been jammed since layoffs began more than a week ago. Unemployment representatives will be available at the center to take claims, and University Medical Center officials will be present to discuss insurance options or alternate ways to pay medical bills.

Representatives from Southwest Gas and the Southern Nevada Water Authority will be available to discuss billing plans; credit counselors will be on hand, as well as members of county's social services division and various nonprofit organizations such as Catholic Charities, the American Red Cross and the United Way.