Canton, NY, Dec 30, 2009 — Over the last year, the NCPR news team has been reporting on the impacts of the so-called Great Recession in our series, A Year of Hard Choices. What we didn't necessarily consider is that the year after the recession could be even tougher for many people. Unemployment remains around 10% throughout much of the North Country. The manufacturing sector has been hit hard with massive job losses, from General Motors and Corning in St. Lawrence County, to Pfizer in Clinton County, to New York Air Brake and Covidien in Watertown.

During 2010, those workers' jobless benefits will begin to run out. And they will join an already overcrowded market of job seekers. The situation is making for stressful times at the state-run career centers across the region. At the One Stop Career Center in Canton, the unemployed are trying to stay busy and keep their hopes up. David Sommerstein reports.

CORRECTION: The correct title of the employment center is "One Stop Career Center".  Go to full article

Jul 28, 2006 — Advocates for the poor are calling on Governor Pataki to release $100 million dollars for welfare to work programs that they say could save the state money in public assistance costs. The funding was left unresolved at the end of the legislative session. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 04, 2006 — Counties, and groups that work with the poor, say they are happy Governor Pataki released funding for a number of programs that help people on welfare transition to steady employment. But they wonder when and if the governor will restore funding the legislature wanted for other support services for the needy. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 11, 2002 — An advocacy group for the poor says census data shows poverty has increased in New York. But Governor Pataki's Office of Temporary Welfare Services is disputing those numbers. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 18, 2002 — The number of New Yorkers on welfare declined by more than half since 1995. The Pataki administration says that's a sign that welfare reform works. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 15, 2002 — The Pataki administration is enlisting the aid of some anti-poverty groups to help lobby for more money for welfare programs from Washington. Karen DeWitt has more from Albany.  Go to full article

Feb 11, 2002 — When welfare reform was first begun in New York and the nation five years ago, Governor Pataki said that after the five-year time limit was up, New Yorkers still on welfare would not get any more cash benefits, only vouchers. But three months after some recipients time limits have expired, cash is still being distributed to them.  Go to full article

Feb 07, 2002 — During budget hearings, Governor Pataki’s Social Services Commissioner defended a controverisal proposal to use welfare surplus monies to pay for college aid.  Go to full article

Nov 30, 2001 — On Sunday, the national experiment of welfare reform turns five years old. For 36,000 families and individuals in New York, the anniversary means they've reached their limit receiving federal welfare checks. Now, they'll apply for the state's new "safety net" program to continue getting benefits. Meanwhile, thousands of other families have already gone off welfare. David Sommerstein reports on the transition.  Go to full article

Jul 17, 2001 — The Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County is hoping to create a greater local awareness of programs like food stamps and summer food service programs. Jody Tosti reports.  Go to full article