Another sign of the tough economic times today. But this time, the layoffs are coming to a group working to help the growing population of those who require help with basic needs such as food, clothing, housing and transportation.
The Salvation Army announced layoffs as well as restructuring of their efforts today.
According to officials with the non-profit ministry, their employee reduction will include 5 full-time and 5 part-time positions. Also included are two full-time positions that will be reduced to part-time positions. Of those reductions, three positions will be eliminated through attrition. According to Maj. Jim Edmonds, the reduction will allow the Salvation Army to continue their service to the community.
“We are seeing increases in every area of ministry that we are providing, tremendous increases, and this will just enhance us to be able to reach out to those less fortunate,” Edmonds said.
In that tradition, part of their restructuring plan includes an Income Enhancement/ Deficit Declination project. That project is part of an ongoing re-organization, Edmonds said, that will not reduce the services that the ministry provides but will instead expand their availability to a greater number of people closer to home.
One example of that increased service is the addition of programs like Mobile Hope which provides transportation to those in rural areas. That program has already begun in Unicoi County. The program will soon expand into Washington, Carter, and Greene counties.
Meanwhile, Edmonds says those affected by Thursday's job cuts will receive severance packages. However, Edmonds says since the ministry is a 501C3, it does not provide unemployment benefits. Still, he says that doesn't mean those laid off won't be eligible for government help.
"Every person, every family has been prayed over, tears have been shed over each one of these, because it's not ever an easy thing to do," Edmonds said.
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