It’s tested in small ways every day — one person goes to this office, another to that — but there’s a theory among staff that you can walk into the Job Center with nothing and walk out with all the services you need to rebuild your life.

That journey often starts at Door A on the north end of the Kenosha County Job Center building, 8600 Sheridan Road.

“The bus stop is right outside this door,” Keli Poppe says, pointing outside.

Most then wander down the hall to General Reception at the office of Workforce Development and Children and Family Services.

“This is where you go to apply for any kind of benefits,” said Poppe, an economic support supervisor for Workforce Development.

Self Help room

Inside the wide waiting room, people stood in a crooked row that snaked toward the reception desk.

Poppe detoured before heading to the front counter, turning right just as she walked through the door, toward the Self Help room.

If you want to bypass the line or you feel like trying to solve your own problem, the Self Help room has four computers and a wall of pamphlets including “Where to Go For Help,” which lists everything from shelters and counselors to food pantries and treatment programs.

“It takes very little knowledge,” Poppe said. “You don’t have to be computer savvy, and it gives you the ability to apply for most of our services online.”

Back in the General Reception lobby, two phones are available for visitors to call caseworkers in the building. Scanners, faxes and copy machines await users.

“People can use this as a business address,” Poppe said.

Next stop: Job center

Across the hall is Employment Central.

“This is the center of our job search support center,” said John Milisauskas, Job Center manager.

Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can use about 30 computers for free. People outside the center also can access www.jobcenterwisconsin.com.

“Last week, there were 3,300 jobs listed — and that’s southeastern Wisconsin,” Milisauskas said.

Veterans get priority at Employment Central, and the center is equipped for people with disabilities — from machines operated by blowing through a tube to others that enlarge images.

Job huddles are offered each day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for those in job search programs. Career planning is available to the public.

A break stop

Back across the hall in General Reception, many people end up in the offices behind that waiting area. When they leave, they can trace their steps back to the front desk or go out a door on the south end of the building.

That’s where Poppe continued her tour.

“On your map, you are by the Commons Area, where the other two entrances are on the other end of the building,” Poppe said.

Vending machines are available for a quick snack, while sandwiches and soups are sold from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. People also can just sit at the tables for a bit of quiet time.

“As it gets colder, we have a lot of homeless people who come here to get warm or get clean,” Poppe said.

Disability center, health

A ramp just south of the Commons leads to the Aging and Disability Resource Center on the right, the Health Clinic on the left and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in the corner.

The resource center offers help for people of all ages with disabilities, people age 55 and older, and their caregivers and families.

“They’re a godsend,” said Rosann Lewis, another service provider, who has cared for her elderly parents for 10 years. “It was amazing the resources they offered me that I didn’t know existed.”

At the DVR office job training and support is available for anyone whose disability makes it hard to find or keep a job.

“They even work with high school kids,” Poppe said.

Next door, the Health Clinic offers immunizations, health screenings and other services Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Just before Thanksgiving, 1,703 people got swine flu vaccinations in six hours.

“They did a phenomenal job. And I barely heard a kid cry,” Poppe said.

Veterans aid center

Back up the hallway, past General Reception, toward the north end of the building, is the Division of Veterans Affairs, the building’s child care center and continuing education offices. The Prevention Services Network, which offers resources for families, is near the east door.

Lewis walked toward the veterans’ office.

“They do so much more than work with the vet,” she said.

Her father was in World War II. After he died, the office helped Lewis get a plaque for his gravestone and helped her mother apply for surviving spouse benefits.

Around the corner, at the Gateway Technical College Adult Learning Center, classes are offered to improve reading, writing and math. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

There’s also a computer lab immediately next door, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. In the morning, there’s even a staff person from DVR to answer questions as part of a work experience program.

Full service

“I’m really proud of what we have to offer and how it all fits together,” Poppe said as she walked back toward General Reception.

And don’t forget, she said, “All the things we talked about are also available at the Kenosha County Center. There’s a mini-Employment Central room. DVR will go out there, if there are people who don’t have the means to get here or don’t want to come that far.

“Any service we offer here can be offered out there.”