Some Free/Low Cost Prom Dress Events in 2014

It's the midst of the prom dress hunting season.  While some events have passed already, there are still some events in the future.  I'm still waiting for the annual Raising Awareness event (we hope) at Owens Community College, which is generally in early April.  Here's a roundup of some events and opportunities around the country:

Check out this national listing of stores for donated prom dresses at Donate My Dress.  Another regional operation, Operation Prom, which operates events in New York, Connecticut, Georgia, Tennessee, New Jersey and Philadelphia, has prom dresses and tuxedo vouchers for low-income students.

Project G.L.A.M. has a listing of a couple of pop-up events in New York City.  In other local events, there's a prom dress resale event in the downriver suburbs of Detroit on March 22nd and 23rd.  The Macomb County Michigan Department of Human Services is hosting a Dress to Remember Event on April 2nd, 2014.

In northeast Massachusetts, there are some Priceless Prom events for dresses in late March and early April.

If You Live in Certain States, Your Unemployment Checks Can Work Towards Starting a Business

All states have some form of unemployment insurance, but in five states--New York, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Oregon (and apparently from their inclusion in this document, Delaware)--the unemployed have another option.  In the other 45 states, the unemployed have to show that they are working towards another job by training and/or pounding the pavement.  But in these five states, there is a self-employment assistance program.  Unemployed workers in these states can earn their check by proving that they are working to become self-employed--that they are training to set up a workable business, writing a business plan, or other concrete steps to start a business, and the usual job hunting requirements are waived.

What are the requirements for this?  Each state has different regulations that you can find here.  While this page is set up for policy makers in other states, it lets you know what is expected. 
The U.S. Department of Labor is trying to expand this program to other states, and has given money to states across the country to set up their own programs.  If you (sadly) become eligible for unemployment insurance in your state, ask if your state has a self-employment assistance program, and what you need to go to become eligible.

Free Job Training for Cruise Ship Jobs in Toledo, Free Health Care Training in New Jersey

I don't know how good the money is (they claim $1500-$3000 a months, with food, lodging and health care), but the Maritime Academy in Toledo has received grants to train adults (for free), in the cruise ship business.  In early 2012, they will have at least seven classes of about 20 people for a course of study to prepare for work in the cruise ship business.  If you want to apply, call 419-244-9999.

Also found a community college in New Jersey, Middlesex County College, that is providing grant-funded free training in allied health professions like phlebotomy, EKG tech, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, and more.  Depending on the profession, training runs from four weeks to 10 months. It's aimed at the under-employed and the unemployed, and applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.  Call 732-548-6000, ext. 3813. 

Microfinancing in New York City and Elsewhere

I'm always on the prowl for business grant money, for the same reason people track down two-headed animals--it's a real rarity.  I have come across an article in the Utne Reader this year that piqued my interest--and should pique yours, if you are an aspiring microenterprise person (a "microenterprise" being a business that takes less than $35,000 to start, with fewer than 5 employees).  In Turning Hustlers into Entrepreneurs, Kai Wright looks at the efforts of differnt groups in turning people with a small business dream into small businesspeople.  Many of these people don't have access to banks and traditional business finance sources, and microenterprise lenders are trying to level the playing field for them. 

One organization they focused on is the Business Outreach Center Network, which offers business training and small loans to clients who are largely immigrants in New York City and recently, in Newark, New Jersey.  Those going through the training are eligible to apply for $1,000 grants.  Acorrding to the article, the BOC Network has given away more than $170,000 in grants in seven years. 

But there is also information on ACCION USA, a microlender that lends all across the United States, with loans of up to $50,000.  In most places in the US, you can apply to them online, and in a few places, in person.  They also give business training. 

New Money to Prevent Foreclosures

Fresh money is being pouring into the fight against foreclosure in 17 states. The Hardest Hit Fund is being strengthened in the ten states that originally got two rounds of cash—Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Rhode Island—and seven new states: Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. These are all areas that have experienced unemployment rates higher than the national average. In total, $3 billion will go towards helping out homeowners whose ability to pay their mortgages was hit by an event such as the loss of a job. Homeowners may be eligible for up to $50,000 in interest-free loans to cover mortgage interest and principle, mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, and taxes until they are employed once again and can resume their home payments.
Other states with unemployment higher than the national average may apply for housing funds, too. Right now, each state is responsible through their state housing agency for their own particular guidelines. If you are a resident of one of these states, contact your housing authority (links above) to see when the rollout will be for your state. For instance, Ohio’s is September 27th. Remember that while the general purpose is the same, each state will have its own rollout date AND eligibility rules. Finally, other states may apply for money, too, so if you are in a high-employment state or locality, check your housing authority or foreclosure resources in your state.

***Update: for states not covered by this, a new program has emerged in 2011.