Last month, United Way and our 2-1-1 Alameda partner, Eden I&R, participated in the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. Education Fair, where they educated hundreds of NUMMI employees about how to connect with support services in the community, as they prepare to lose their jobs when the Fremont plant shuts down on March 31.

Representatives from United Way’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! free tax program and 2-1-1 Alameda/Eden I&R spoke with hundreds of workers at the fair.  Earn It! Keep It! Save It! informed workers that they can receive free tax filing assistance if they earned less than $52,000 last year.  2-1-1 encouraged workers to call the community information line, which can help them connect with the social services they need, manage limited financial resources and know their rights during this difficult transition.

In addition, Susan McDonough, United Way’s Labor Liaison for Alameda County has been working with the county’s Workforce Investment Board (WIB).  At the event, they shared information with NUMMI employees about the Trade Adjustment Act, Unemployment Insurance and other information that is part of WIB’s “Rapid Response” workshops.

“It is heart-wrenching to see more people about to become unemployed.  We are working diligently to lend our support to not only the NUMMI employees, but also the other thousands that will lose their livelihood when NUMMI closes,” said Anne Wilson, United Way of the Bay Area CEO.  “Our United Way team is collaborating with others to lend our support in the most meaningful way possible.”