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6 <br /> 4 <br /> Homeless <br /> There are approximately 600-700 homeless persons served annually at InterFaith Council (IFC) <br /> Community House who are able to, and are looking for, work. Needs include training to keep <br /> gaining skills and move to good-wage jobs. <br /> Recovering substance abusers <br /> The Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Center estimates that there are hundreds of <br /> recovering substance abusers who are able to, and look for, work each year. These estimates will <br /> overlap with the homeless figures. The recent IFC Employment Project served 30 persons with <br /> substance abuse support,job training and placement, and counseling. Needs include a <br /> transitional/halfway house so that Employment Project participants do not have to live in the <br /> shelter to receive assistance; an expanded program to serve twice as many persons; well- <br /> integrated and intensive support services; and training to keep gaining skills and move to good- <br /> wage jobs. <br /> Older workers <br /> There are no available estimates of the number of older workers who want to work but are unable <br /> to find employment. This group includes those 65 and older who need part-time employment to <br /> supplement their income, and those workers (particularly 50 and older) who have been terminated <br /> or took early retirement due to downsizing and have been unable to get back into the job market. <br /> Over 13% of seniors in Orange County live in poverty. <br /> Needs include information about and access to jobs in northern Orange County, and ongoing <br /> training opportunities. Employers also need to be educated about the advantages of hiring older <br /> workers. <br /> Persons on probation or parole <br /> There are approximately 600-700 persons on probation at any one time with 25-30%unemployed <br /> and looking for work, according to estimates from Orange County probation officers. Needs <br /> include job-seeking skills, including assistance with filling out applications and interviewing; <br /> transportation; and access to good-wage jobs. <br /> Migrant and seasonal workers <br /> There are approximately 400 seasonal workers- workers who live in the community and earn at <br /> least 50% of their income from farm work- in Orange County, based on the Employment <br /> Security Commission Rural Manpower figures. There are approximately 200-250 migrant <br /> workers in Orange County- workers who work at least 25 days in farm work and are transient - <br /> based on the Employment Security Rural Manpower figures. Needs include expanded English- <br /> as-a-second-language assistance provided with flexible hours, and transportation. <br />