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Unemployed Find Support

One year ago, Deacon Bill Mullen of St. Anne Parish, Hampstead and Judy Nelson of New Hampshire Catholic Charities started a support group for the unemployed. This was in response to a number of inquiries from parishioners that had been laid off from their jobs and asked if the church could help in any way. Deacon Bill had worked in Human Resources for a major retailer for a number of years and approached Catholic Charities with the idea for a workshop to assist job seekers.

On May 11, 2009, a workshop was held discussing topics on “How to Write a Resume and Interview Skills”. Arlene Cody, a counselor from Catholic Charities spoke about the emotional issues that one may encounter with the loss of a job. The initial meeting had 12 job seekers present. When the meeting ended, several attendeess suggested the idea of forming a support group and the Employment Support Group was formed. During this past year, over 100 people have attended meetings held every other week at St. Anne Parish. Of that number 28 have found employment and attendance has averaged 26 people.

Each meeting opens and closes with a prayer let by Judy and breakout sessions are offered to job seekers with the following topics:

• mock interviews
• behavioral interviewing
• resume writing
• networking
• financial issues
• dealing with loss

A group of 8 volunteers from several area parishes attend and assist job seekers. In the past six weeks five members of the group found full-time employment and one member, Paula Oxner, of Danville NH, who had been unemployed for 18 months stated: “Attending meetings at Saint Anne’s has helped me very much, I found that the help provided by Deacon Bill and Judy Nelson and the other volunteers was wonderful. I have been a part of other networking groups but found this group the most supportive by far. The way the breakout sessions are structured was extremely beneficial. I credit the help received here, especially the mock interview, for restoring my self-confidence, which I lost when laid off.”

Meetings are continuing every other week at St. Anne Parish, 26 Emerson Avenue, Hampstead, NH. If you are interested in participating or would like information on the next meeting time, please visit the St. Anne Parish website which includes a local job board or contact Deacon Bill Mullen at St. Anne Parish at (603) 329-5886.