- In light of the current COVID-19 health crisis, the lack of career resources, training, and small business support was an even more prominent challenge in our community. This project was designed to assist job-seekers and small businesses in and around Washington County that currently lack access to development resources and training. WCPL used this grant to provide adult/teen education, including classes and certification for the general public such as GED prep, employable skills certification like Ready to Work, ServSafe, WorkKeys skills, as well as computer skills and digital literacy. WCPL is now partnering with the AL Career Center to provide career readiness assistance to job-seekers needing help with resume writing, job search/application submission, and other challenges associated with online employment opportunities. Workshops on business development, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship will now be offered. Through this grant, the local workforce can be more employable and better prepared to gain and maintain employment, which will help employers who currently experience high rates of turnover due to a lack of skills and education.
2021
Disabled Veterans and 1st Responders Events
This project was to purchase seating for the shooting houses and tree stands on the Iron Horse Farm property where the St. Michael Iron Horse Charity events occur. These are used during the events for disabled veterans and 1st responders who attend different events during the year at St. Michaels Iron Horse Charities/Iron Horse Farm
Furniture Refresher
This grant allowed for new furniture to be purchased replacing our heavily used and broken pieces. Much of our furniture was from the late 50’s and early 60’s. The sofa, four individual chairs, and table with a magazine rack added both to the attractiveness and functionality of the library. Computer work stations were purchased to ensure privacy as well as acknowledging patron safety due to COVID. Colorful bean bags were purchased to liven up our children’s room and make it comfortable for them to use. A rolling book rack allows for displays to be changed and various locations adjusted as needed. Desk chairs which were missing pieces and/or not operating properly were replaced.
K9 Unit Project ROCKY
K9 Unit Project ROCKY is an ongoing, ever evolving project that was created to build and maintain a state of the art K9 unit. This unit currently employs three K9 Officers and each has a dual purpose K9. The dual purpose K9’s are able to detect narcotics and apprehend.
Equipment can be an enhancement tool used to make this unit more efficient and transparent. All Thomasville Officers have a body worn camera and now our K9’s do as well. The MOHOC camera is a helmet mounted system that can be remotely viewed from a mobile device. K9’s are able to search a facility or area while keeping the handlers safe and at a distance.
Computers for Students
Last summer, the previous Guidance Counselor, Kristi Williamson, submitted a grant application for Computers for Students. We purchased 50 Dell Chromebooks and 50 Dell Academic /Education licenses from Clear Winds Technologies. I have attached an invoice, check stub, and pictures of the computers that we purchased. Kristi requested $9500.00. We were granted $3,779.57. Our school spent $13,555.50.
We appreciate your support of our school. Thank you so much for your help with this project.
Emily Martin, Guidance Counselor (Hired May 2021)