Truth Staff
Elkhart County workers needing to file unemployment claims may use the computers at Goshen and Northridge high schools.
The two schools are opening their computer labs a few hours each week especially for displaced workers.
Local school and elected officials as well as chamber representatives suggested allowing job seekers into the schools to ease the long lines outside the traditional filing sites at the Elkhart WorkOne office and public libraries.
"We're just trying to help out," said Goshen Principal Jim Kirkton. "When 600 people get laid off, 600 people need computer access."
The locations and times are:
* Goshen High School, 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Feb. 10
* Northridge High School, 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays starting Feb. 9
Students and staff at both schools have been trained and will be in the computer labs to help the unemployed use the computers and navigate the Web site for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Students will not be inputting information in the system, said Bruce Stahly, superintendent of Goshen Community Schools.