http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-orlando-unemployment-cape-20110415,0,6523849.story<snip>
It may be hard getting a job in today's labor market, but Workforce Central Florida is prepared to give you a cape — a shiny, red cape.
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As part of a superhero theme, it has created a cartoon character named "Dr. Evil Unemployment" and spent more than $14,000 on 6,000 satiny superhero capes.
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It plans to distribute the capes to jobless residents who participate in the agency's "Cape-A-Bility Challenge."
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The goal of the campaign is to "generate awareness of WFC and our programs," agency Vice President Kimberly Sullivan wrote in an email. The agency spent about $2,300 on 12 foam board cutouts of Dr. Evil Unemployment, each about 5 feet tall.<snip>
Maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time trying to figure out why there's even a need to raise awareness. Pretty sure most people who get laid off can figure out where to go to apply for benefits. Maybe this money could have been better spent on job training programs, or perhaps even hiring a few extra workers to answer phones? Anyone who's ever tried calling the unemployment assistance line knows how difficult it can be to reach someone.