Randy Stevens is a member of the Illinois Rapid Response Team for mass layoffs and workplace closings for the Illinois American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Member Assistance Program. This program provides services and workshops to workers who have been laid off or lost their jobs due to plant closings, and Stevens is their first line of defense.
Stevens conducts workshops for dislocated workers, informing them about the benefits available under the Workforce Investment Act and Trade Adjustment Act. He educates employees on keeping health insurance under COBRA and explains HIPAA rights. Innovative by nature, he has developed a presentation which outlines apprenticeships, other educational needs of applicants and multiple skills that are required of individual trade unions. He also trains peer counselors who aid in the transition of workers to new employment and re-training.
Stevens assists in the selection process for companies to receive funding through the Illinois AFL-CIO training reimbursement grants. He has always gone the extra mile by reaching out to those in need. Through his own initiation, he spearheaded a food basket drive to bring relief to the laid-off workers at the Toluca Garment Factory.
Stevens’ commitment to the Peoria Jaycees demonstrates the many contributions he has made in the community. A vital cog in rendering services for many Jaycee projects, he has brought joy to those who attend. Stevens’ life work and actions are truly an example of the Jaycees’ creed that “service to humanity is the best work of life.” He currently serves as president of the Peoria Jaycees Keyman Organization.
He has chaired more than 30 projects and assisted in countless others, raising large sums of money for charities in the surrounding area, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Easter Seals, Alzheimer’s Association and the Carver Center. Stevens is also a Red Cross blood donor, Peoria Labor Day Parade committee member, and deputy registrar who works on voter registration and “Get out the Vote” initiatives.
Randy Stevens is a graduate of the Peoria Community Leadership School and has been named Jaycee of the Year, Jaycee Keyman of the Year and Jaycee of the Quarter, and was a co-recipient of the Staff Collaboration Award of the Workforce Network in Peoria. iBi
