Lake Agassiz Regional Libraries and Service Organizations Unite to Provide Resources During COVID-19
A group of Polk County service providers have partnered with Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) to provide and promote resources and services relating to job seeking, adult education, mental health resources and more through computer and internet access at LARL’s five public libraries in Polk County.
The partnership consists of four organizations dedicated to supporting Polk County residents, including CareerForce, Northwestern Mental Health Center, Adult Basic Education and the Climax, Crookston, Fertile, Fosston and McIntosh branches of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library. The organizations are working together to connect community members with services providing training for career advancement, job seeking, education, mental health and various assistance needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are excited about this partnership and look forward to working together to serve Polk County residents” said Chris Boike, director of the Crookston Public Library. “At a time when some agencies have been forced to pivot to online services due to COVID, our libraries are open and offer safe, welcoming spaces where people can obtain these vital resources and services.”
“We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Lake Agassiz Regional Library,” said Bonny Stechmann, NW Minnesota Field Operations Area Manager for CareerForce. “This collective interest in working together will better serve and support individuals in our area by sharing already acquired expertise and maximizing resources.”
CareerForce:
CareerForce is Minnesota’s career development and talent matching resource. We’re not only passionately committed to supporting career seekers and individuals, we’re the state’s only unified system dedicated to supporting Minnesota’s employment and economic growth. CareerForce is made up of a wide range of partners and resources throughout Minnesota. We’re committed to working together to support your success. CareerForceMN.com is our new online resource where you’ll find customizable information to help you with your career or workforce development needs.
Northwestern Mental Health Center:
Northwestern Mental Health Center (NWMHC) is a private, non-profit community mental health organization based in Crookston, Minnesota. Our organization provides a full range of mental health and substance use disorder services to individuals, children and families in northwest Minnesota. For more information visit nwmhc.org.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library:
Lake Agassiz Regional Library is a consolidated public library system comprised of 13 branch libraries and nine LINK sites serving the residents of seven counties in northwest Minnesota. For more information on this and other LARL events and services, contact the Lake Agassiz Regional Library office at 218-233-3757 or online at www.larl.org.
Adult Basic Education (ABE):
The mission of ABE in Minnesota is to provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve the literacy skills needed to become self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens. Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a state-wide system that serves adults who are working towards a high school credential, learning English, improving basic skills such as literacy and math, and/or preparing for post-secondary education or employment. Polk County Adult Basic Education classrooms are located in Crookston, East Grand Forks and Erskine, in addition to a classroom for offenders in the Polk County Law Enforcement Center (Crookston). The program is open to those 17 and older who are no longer enrolled in high school.