Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Education Adult Education Provides New Opportunities Clinton Mills, in cooperation with the Laurens County Adult Education and the Laurens County Literacy Council, will provide employees an opportunity to improve their basic skills and in some instances, complete require ments for a high school equivalency diploma. According to Personnel Director James Buchanan, participation in the educational program in prior years has exceeded all expectations. Our basic education will provide in struction in functional skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics. “We have capable instructors in our program,” noted Buchanan. “Our staff understands the adults who are re entering the school system. These in structors provide students with educa tional materials and all of the assistance necessary to allow them to advance at a reasonable pace.” More and more employees realize that today’s jobs require more reading, math, and language skills than jobs of the past. According to the most recent U.S. Census Report, almost half of all South Carolinians twenty-five years old and older have less than a high school education. Today, approximately 16% of all the high school credentials are earned through the adult education program. Since the beginning of this program, we have been able to provide our employee students with a comfortable instructional environment.” noted Buchanan who co-ordinates the educa tional program. “Classrooms are at the high school and furnished by District 56. We have been able to reproduce a comfortable academic environment which makes the learning experience more plea sant,” he added. “Classes began Tues day, September 25 and will meet each Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. “Most employees who enroll in the skills enhancement programs im mediately experience a positive change in their attitude about themselves,” ex plained Buchanan. “It’s an important step for a person to realize he needs skills enhancement or have a desire to upgrade his educational level. With few exceptions, employees tackle their educational efforts with enthusiasm.” Many employees have found the GED program very helpful in helping them learn to perform their jobs bet ter. New machinery, increased use of maintenance manuals, expanded utilization of computers, and more needs for improved communication skills has increased the requirements for employees who possess a high level of basic educational skills. Those already participating in our program have varying amounts oi education. Many have found that to day’s work environment requires a wide variety of skills. Others have returned to school to fulfill a life-long dream of achieving a high school diploma. Others feel the additional education will improve their feelings about their own life—while others are finding the new chance provides educa tional opportunities either not available previously—or in some cases, not taken advantage of.” Anyone interested in entering the skills enhancement program should contact Personnel Director James Buchanan. “We’re proud of those who have par ticipated in prior years. We encourage anyone interested in improving their education to contact the Personnel Department for more information.” Alcohol & Drug Abuse: Often A Hidden Problem “Many employees in our County ex perience alcohol and drug abuse prob lems. Other employees are affected by the fact that a family member or close acquaintance experiences such prob lems,” says Associate Assistance Counselor, Richard Cain. Many people do not seek help due to the element of denial which is present when alcohol or drug abuse occurs. The following are some signs that might indicate chemical dependency problems in regard to one’s own behavior or someone important to them: • Trying to cut down or quit using alcohol and/or other drugs and failing at it. • Substituting alcohol or other drugs or substances that one has had difficulty with before. • “Blackouts” or lapses in memory after use. • Using a substance while alone or hiding the evidence of use. • Using a substance to forget prob lems or worries. • Doing things while “under the in fluence” that cause regret afterwards. • Not being able to enjoy an event without using a substance. • Using much more than other peo ple in a social gathering. • Neglecting responsibilities in order to use a substance. • Family, friends, or employer ex United Way Solicitors pressing concerns about substance abuse. • Being willing to do most anything to get the substance. • Financial or legal problems from using the substance. If you have concerns about yourself or a loved one in regard to alcohol and/or other drug use, here are some helpful hints: • Acknowledge the problem openly. • Limit time spent with people who encourage alcohol and/or other drug use or who believe that dependency is a problem of weak will. • Seek professional help from Counselors, Alcohol and Drug Treat ment Centers, Doctors, or Therapists who deal with chemical dependency and recovery. A good place to start for information, counseling, and direction could be your Associate Assistance Program. Long term support can be found from others who are recovering themselves. Many programs such as AA, Alanon, NA, and various forms of aftercare are available. “Don’t just continue to analyze prob lems, seek help”, noted Cain. The Associate Assistance Program offers counseling and guidance and referral for employees and family members. The program continues to be a valuable benefit offered by the Company for Associates and their families. Dollars Help Provide These Services For Laurens County...The United Way Solicitors for the Laurens County United Way Drive by Plants and Departments include: No. 1 Carding: Theodore Rice, William Prather, Melvin Wedman, Rodney Ellis, Mary Pulley. Spinning: Betty Hill, Annie Toland, Shirley Ferguson, Jamie Long, and Frances Brock. Weaving: Kathy Croy, Howard Stroud, Linda Holbert, Mary Knight, and Terry Samples. Cloth: Vera Snow, Sandy Wells, and Linda Davis. Plant No. 2 Carding: Larry Lawson, Ray Gossett, Sr., Bryan Tumblin, Ray Gossett, Jr. Spinning: Bonnie Eustace and Margaret Seay, Selena Satterwhite, Carolyn Young, Juanita Anthony, Mary Gambrell. Also, Nellie Motes, Nancy Suber, George Marshall, Dixie Gossett, Mark McClellan. Air Jet Weaving: Betty Samples, Jeanette Stroud, Joe Spillers, Kevin Tucker, Gerald Green. Weaving #3: Charles Cummins, Debra Pace, Paul Motes, Sharon Bolt, Debbie Jones, James Nelson, Richard Tucker, and Jessie Conner. Cloth: Linda Fuller, Betty J. Patton, Bobbie L. South. Plant No. 2, Dept. 800 — Rufus Bluford. Lydia Plant Carding: Ray Shealy, James Robinson, Thomas Anderson. Spinning: Jackie Roberts, Genelle Robertson, Judy Pitts. Weaving: Fred Cunningham, James Smith, Frances Bright, Thomasina Hunter, James Gilliam, William Bagwell, Jackie Bragg, Frank Gresham, Fred Spillers. Cloth: Edna McGee. Maintenance: Brian Shealy. Bailey Carding: Harold Smith, Nor man Patterson, James Cunningham. Spinning: Joyce Sprouse, Elizabeth Brown, James Woody, Magdeline Miller. Weaving: Thomas Glenn, Mildred Fowler, Rudine Jones, Joy Bryant, Robbie Crocker. Cloth: Bar bara Brazill, Mark Davenport, Willie Leake, and Cindy Ward. Maintenance: Richard A. Warner, Teddy McLendon. Technical Services: Joyce Finley. Office: Margaret Price. Warehouse: Phillip Owens, Plants No. 1 and 2; Casper Boyd, Lydia; and Herman Williams, Bailey. ALSTON WILKES SOCIETY Assists male/female, youth/adult of fenders, and ex-offenders, and thier families, with housing, job placement and personal counseling. Provides casework services and prison visitation. AMERICAN RED CROSS Provides 24 hour disaster relief, emergency assistance in coordinating food, clothing, shelter and medical sup plies, assist victims of fires, provides assistance to military families. Presents Aids educational programs, conducts first aid, CPR and water safety courses and provides education on blood and tissue donors. AUTISTIC CHILDREN SOCIETY Promotes education, training, research, and the welfare of persons with autism and their families. BOY SCOUTS— BLUE RIDGE COUNCIL Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America-Instills values in young peo ple from ages 6-20 and prepares them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full poten tial. Programs encourage family in volvement, service to others and oppor tunities to learn aoout careers. CAMP FIRE, INC. Provides learning experiences and education programs for girls and boys ages 5-18. It also provides opportunities for the youth to become active with community projects. Offers resident camp and self-reliance courses. CARE, INC. Serves people in need by providing food vouchers, rent or mortgage pay ments, assistance for transients, special clothing, school supplies, help with prescription medicines and heat. Works with state supported agencies, churches and schools by accepting referrals or in referring clients for additional assistance. (See DOLLARS, page 9) p age s - Cloth Maker