Hurricane Harvey, Optimistically

If you need to claim Disaster Unemployment Assistance, the deadline has been extended to 10/31/2017. However, it might be easier if you create a profile on Workintexas.com and physically write your user ID and password on a sheet of paper. Both links are closely related under the Texas Workforce Commission umbrella. If you prefer phone, call 1.877.892.3896 and PATIENTLY follow their automated directions. Please understand that long wait times are not personal and there are no alternate ways or numbers to speed up the process. If you do not need assistance, please read on.

We are not here to ask for your time or money, but rather your ATTENTION for just a moment. In our daily career office operations, we make sure to give the best and most accurate information to our customers during times of crisis. Workforce Solutions wants you to see this CATASTROPHIC event as an OPPORTUNITY to take advantage of and use the drive that sometimes rises when events like this happen. According to Psychology Today, “every crisis presents an opportunity.” In fact, crisis and opportunity are part of one process; we can choose to focus on the crisis or the opportunity.

Miranda Adams, Health Recovery Specialist suggests the following to help move through crisis to opportunity.

• Have a positive and empowering vision. Remember that despite what happens, your focus will affect the actions you decide to take.
• Surround yourself with support. That support should build you up and provide a reliable foundation.
• Look after yourself. During times of crisis, or shortly after, you will need strength and energy to get you through.
• Use this time to learn. Workforce Solutions provides a wealth of information to benefit career exploration.
• Recognize what is helpful to let go of. The devastation from hurricane Harvey has forced many of us to let go of possessions. As we find a new equilibrium in our lives, think about those mental possessions that we can rid ourselves of and accept the change that has come.

There are several ways to give other than through money. We can invest our time and skill into the community so that everyone can grow from this crisis. Many organizations such as American Red Cross, Goodwill, BakerRipley, United Way, and various local governments agencies are looking for individuals to help those in need. If you are looking to donate, be sure to do some research to assure the dollars you give are going toward the cause and not someone’s pocket. Unfortunately, with the amount of people wanting to help, there are others wanting to scam in times like these. Just be careful.

Now is an opportunity to rebuild. You can use this time to better yourself. There are going to be many employers looking for candidates to help in relief efforts. With all of this devastation, only opportunity follows.

Diego Trevino is a Regional Facilitator for Workforce Solutions in the Houston – Galveston area. Before joining the regional team, he served as a greeter, employment counselor and staffing specialist. Earlier in his career he traveled to South Korea where he taught students English. He uses past teaching experiences and present workforce knowledge to conduct job skills seminars throughout the 13 county Gulf Coast Region.