Experience Works Honors Adair Man

By Paul B. Hayes
Editor
Experience Works, a national, charitable, community-based organization that helps senior citizens get the training they need to find jobs in the local communities, has selected an Adair County resident as its 2009 Participant of the Year for the state of Kentucky.
At a program Wednesday afternoon at Mulligan's Restaurant at The Pines at Lindsey Wilson, Columbia resident Wayne Courson was presented the award by Experience Works state director Carole Kincaid.
Experience Works - formerly known as the Green Thumb program - assists low-income individuals 55 or over by placing them in part-time jobs at nonprofit organizations and public agencies in their community, allowing them to receive training and job counseling.
While Courson has a bachelor's degree in Human Services, he had not worked for five years due to taking care of his ill father. And, when he re-entered the job market, he had no success.
"Due to the economic conditions it was very difficult for me to even get considered for work since most of the companies were looking for younger employees," Courson recalled.
The 56-year-old discovered Experience Works through recruitment material Training Coordinator Karen Miller had placed throughout the county, and after calling a toll-free number was referred to her in October of last year.
Experience Works placed Courson at the Adair County Adult Education Center, where he has excelled. He is currently helping adults and troubled students who come through the county school system or from the Adair Youth Development Center.
Courson said that the work at the center has allowed him to develop new skills such as assisting people who doubt their ability to learn. "It has also allowed me to learn how to better understand people and their problems when I do find a job as a counselor."
Courson says he hopes to find work at a facility such as Oakwood in Pulaski County, or at Children and Family Services in the Pulaski County area.
After being presented with his award, Courson said that he is very grateful for Experience Works.
"I really appreciate this (award)," he said. "There is a need for Experience Works. So many of us seniors have run into a wall when it comes to employment.
"If it wasn't for Experience Works, I'd be lucky to have a job pumping gas," he noted. "And, while I love what I'm doing with Experience Works, I hope I'll be leaving you all in the near future."
As the Kentucky Participant of the Year, Courson will now be eligible for the National Participant of the Year honor. The winner will be selected from nominees from the 30 states and Puerto Rico which Experience Works serves.
For more information about the opportunities provided by Experience Works, contact Ohreta Sprague, Training Coordinator for Adair and Russell counties, at 270-866-6126 Monday through Wednesday.
Photo:EXPERIENCE WORKS Participant of the Year. Wayne Courson of Columbia was honored as the Experience Works Participant of the Year for the state of Kentucky at a ceremony held Wednesday. Presenting Courson with the award is Experience Works State Director Carole Kincaid. (Photo by Paul B. Hayes)