Newsletter 1

H.E.L.P. JAC Newsletter
Help Employees Leave Prepared Edition 1

The Joint Adjustment Committee (JAC) is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, MI Works!, UAW, and Design Ware. The Joint Adjustment Committee’s goal is to provide information to employees who are transitioning from employment to unemployment to re-employment and/or training.

Our name is the H.E.L.P. JAC. It stands for Help Employees Leave Prepared Joint Adjustment Committee. We are meeting to learn how to better help all employees transitioning at Design Ware. We will communicate by newsletter, blog, and Facebook. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please ask.

Our mission statement is: The H.E.L.P. TEAM JAC will provide tools to our employees to transition to the next stage of their life.


Employee Needs Survey
The Employee Needs Survey will be distributed this week.

The purpose of the survey is to give us (H.E.L.P. TEAM JAC) an opportunity to gauge the needs and desires of the employees, so we can better assist you. We strongly encourage everyone to participate. Thanks.


Team Members
Julia Cokely State of MI
Kevin Crowe Design Ware
Ann Lown JAC
Curt Mastos MI Works!
Andy Meulman Teamsters 7
Renee Shull Design Ware
Sid Spring Teamsters 7

Questions and Answers about the H.E.L.P. TEAM JAC
Q: What does it mean to you?

A: We have created a team consisting of members from H.E.L.P. TEAM, the State of Michigan, MI Works! (Kalamazoo/St. Joseph counties), and me, Ann, the guide in this process. Members of the union are invited.

Q: What are we going to do for you?

A: We are going to supply information to help you through your coming transition.

Q: Like what?

A: Like, how to apply for unemployment insurance compensation. Or, how to get your GED...and we'll have information on resume writing, career changes, educational choices, and other resources.


We want to be sure that when you leave Design Ware you are ready to transition into your new life. Maybe it is going to work somewhere, or maybe it is going back to school/training; whatever you decide, we want provide the information you may need.

Who Is Ann?

Hi! My name is Ann Lown and I'm the Neutral Chairperson (the guide) for the Joint Adjustment Committee. I worked in manufacturing for 25 years before I was downsized and the plant closed. When I lost my job, I felt like my feet were pulled out from underneath me. I kept thinking, "I did everything they wanted of me; I worked hard and this is the thanks I get,” and the ever popular, “It’s not fair!” And after a while, I decided that there was nothing I could do about it; I wasn't going back to work there; I had to get on with the rest of my life. I decided to look at this as a 'time of opportunity' instead of something that was so very bad. I thought about what I really wanted to do now that I had the chance to change my life around. What was my passion; what did I really want to be when I grew up; (oh, did I mention that I'm way over 50); where did I want to be in 10/15 years? I made my decision, and I am not only very happy with my life, but am successful too. It was a struggle. It was overwhelming. It turned my life upside down.

And, it is happening to you too. You can decide to let life flood over you and see where you end up, or you can start making some life choices now. This is an opportunity that you may never get again; the chance to start over. I know it is scary, but it is going to happen anyway. So, make the best of this!


Read the Blog
The Blog for H.E.L.P. TEAM is written to help you with this new stage in your life. You can find it by logging onto the Internet at www.H.E.L.P TeamJAC.blogspot.com. Become a follower!


Where Do I Start?
Where to start? Well, what do you really want to do after you leave this job? Don't start throwing up roadblocks and making excuses, just think about the answer…"what do you really want to do?" Still don't know? Think about what you wanted to do before you started working here. What are you interested in and can that be made into a ‘real’ job? There will be more information about testing in upcoming newsletters and of course, on the blog. There are interest (what I like to do) and aptitude (what I am good at doing) tests. These are great places to start.

Do you know what jobs are in demand in this area? 70% of Southwest Michigan jobs are in the Healthcare, Hospitality, Advanced Manufacturing and Construction /Skilled Trades area. More information can be found at these two websites: www.milmi.org and www.miworks.org/hotcareers.htm


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