Viewpoint: Community service for unemployment checks - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Viewpoint: Community service for unemployment checks

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When Georgia lawmakers return to the state capitol next month, one of the hundreds of bills they'll consider will require people on unemployment to perform community service.

The bill, sponsored by Senator John Albers of Roswell, would require residents receiving benefits to volunteer at least 24 hours per week, either paid or unpaid, for a nonprofit charitable organization.

He says it would create an excellent opportunity for Georgians to give back to their communities, acquire new skills, network, obtain references, and gain invaluable experience while looking for employment.

And we agree. With Georgia's unemployment rate above the national average, we must do everything possible to get our people back to work, and community service and volunteer work could well lead them down a path to a job.

We commend Senator Albers on his proposal and we hope to see it become the law.

 

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