Transitioners using churches to hunt for jobs
Some churches, such as St. Luke's Episcopal in Darien, which holds meetings open to the public, also conduct workshops only for parishioners who have lost jobs. The most recent was Jan. 12.
"These workshops are to provide a bridge for members who are out of work and don't have a plan," said Arthur Brown, a congregant active in the workshops. The church also provides space for monthly meetings of the Darien Professionals Networking Group.
What goes around comes around
This is not the first time in Fairfield County that churches and synagogues have worked to help people in finding corporate jobs. In the late '80s and early '90s, several religious groups held job-hunting meetings, including New Canaan CaTS (Career Transition Support), sponsored by First Presbyterian and St. Mark's Episcopal churches; Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport; the Ridgefield Job Networking group, which held sessions at several religious institutions; and Christ Church in Greenwich, according to Marion McConnon, a volunteer who led the Trinity group for 12 years.
But with the surge in unemployment, some wonder why the job counseling groups are not seeing more participants.
"In the early '90s, we drew 75 to 80 people" recalled Jim Riehl, a volunteer leader at New Canaan CaTS. He said the group is now drawing about 20 people. Part of the reason may be that the "transitioners" are still adjusting to their new status.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/norwalkadvocate/business/ci_11556782
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