Missoula Job Service at the Foundation Building through October

This long slow process of the Pyramid Mountain Lumber mill shut down is just heartbreaking.

Seeley Lake Community Foundation staff got to be a fly-on-the-wall at the Rapid Response hosted by Missoula Job Service in June, to see if there was any way the SLCF could help during this sad time. This meeting at the Community Hall was set up to get Pyramid employees info on next steps as the layoffs occur this summer.

At that meeting, several mill employees asked the Job Service to offer their services in Seeley Lake so they didn't all have to drive into Missoula all the time. That seemed like a reasonable request.

So, the SLCF offered to have Missoula Job Service use the Foundation Building to help our local folks figure out their next steps. Missoula Job Service can help with resumes, cover letters, practice interviews, unemployment insurance assistance and more at no charge.

We started by having Missoula Job Service staff available in the West Wing of the Foundation Building on Wednesdays in July, and then did another batch of sessions most Wednesdays in August.

We asked Kelly, the Job Service Manager, "How much time will it take on average for your team to help someone?"

She said, "It really just depends on what each person needs. Some folks might be a 10 minute call and they can go from there. Someone else might need a couple hours. We don't do one-size-fits-all appointments, we instead try to help people where they are, so it's super hard to say."

This service is open to anyone in town in employment transition or who wants resume or career help, not just people at the mill.

Several folks have come each session to talk with the Missoula Job Service staff and explore what resources are available to them. One gentleman left saying, "This is so great that these guys are coming up here for us. After talking with them, I am leaving here feeling at ease."

There is a lot of funding available for eligible re-training, so it is worth talking with Job Service staff if you are curious or if their services might benefit you.

Missoula Job Service and Pyramid Mountain Lumber also just organized a "reverse job fair" in early August where they brought employers in for an event to try to help displaced workers find their next role.

Missoula Job Service will continue offering these services at the Foundation Building on Wednesdays in September and October. Two Missoula Job Service staff will be available on a first come, first served basis from noon to 3 p.m. These sessions will be posted in the upcoming events section in the Pathfinder, on fliers around town and on SeeleySwanEvents.net.

Questions on services offered? Call Missoula Job Service at 406-728-7060

What a huge and sad thing for our community to have to go through. SLCF remains committed to working throughout our wonderful Seeley Lake community, in good times and tough times, to be a Community Foundation that helps our neighbors and does our best to continue to make Seeley Lake a special place for all.

The Foundation Building is located at 3150 MT Hwy 83 N in downtown Seeley Lake.