Community Outreach

Do You Need Help in these Tough Times?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

There are many families right here in our community that have been affected by the financial/economic downturn that is now being called a "depression".

A change from just a month ago when we were hearing the word, "recession".

It is time for us, as we have always done in this community, to reach out to our neighbors, to be cognizant of the fact that people are hurting and may not know where to turn, or how to ask for help.

I am listing as many local, county, state and private resources that may be able to help those of us who are in need and will keep updating this section of our website accordingly.

"May each of us find it in our hearts to reach out to help those of us that are in need"

Councilwoman, Maura Keyes

Resources

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

It may sound strange and a bit uncoventional...  But, Craigs List is quickly becoming the fasting growing "out of the box" way to link potential employees and workers with employers - From labor intensive jobs like construction and landscaping to office jobs in finance and banking - and everything else in between, including freelance and intern work!

www.craigslist.com

Here is an excerpt from a recent Craigs List real-life story...

"Casillas, 46, is like tens of thousands of out-of-work Americans turning to Craigslist, the online classified ad Web site where people can post information for free.

The site says it has 50 million users, most of them in the United States. More than 2 million new jobs are posted each month, according to Craigslist.

Many have begun posting messages of desperation seeking work. Some post their résumé and phone number; others swap goods online. iReport: Tell us how you're getting by

Casillas said it was a humbling experience to finally post his message on the site. Once responsible for bringing in $400,000 in cash per month for a credit union, he has been out of work for the past four months and now lives with his mother in suburban Los Angeles.

He had tried newspaper ads and other online job sites, with no great success. Then one night, he posted a simple message on Craigslist.

"I have over 20 years of experience in sales, telephone sales in a call center, customer service, administrative assistant, cash handling, teller, and many more skills and abilities. Great personality, very friendly, hard worker, very responsible," it said. "I will be happy to e-mail you my resume. I need a job now. Please call my cell phone."

Casillas said he teared up when he first began typing the message -- that his life had come unraveled so hard and so fast. But ultimately, he said, he decided, "I'm just going to put it out there. I'm not going to be embarrassed. I'm just going to tell the whole world: I'm unemployed, and I need a job today. And the response was great."

"My phone kept ringing and ringing and ringing with people interested in my ability to think outside the box," he said, adding that he now has three good leads on potential jobs."

SOURCE:  CNN 3/22/2009 "Humbled Banker Parts with Yuppie Past"

The Rutherford Public Library

Lost Your Job? How do you pay your bills now?

Career Counseling

 New Jersey http://new-jersey.uscity.net/Career/Counseling

What About Volunteering to Gain that Edge?

If you've never been involved in community service before, volunteering as an individual may be a good place to start. Want to improve your computer knowledge? Well, you could get "free" on-the-job training by working at a local church office or animal shelter. Have you been out of the workforce raising children? Volunteering may be a painless way for you to get back into the routine before taking the plunge into a paid position.

And if you're looking for a career change, community service is a networker's dream. You can meet people who may offer opportunities you've never thought of... You can sample different workplaces and see how you like various fields. Your volunteering will definitely help others and may help you, too.  And, it's a great way to keep moving.

I Want to Volunteer...  Sign Me Up!

http://www.state.nj.us/helpoutnj/volunteer.html

Working TOGETHER We Make A Difference...

Ten Reasons to Volunteer - Help Out NJ!

http://www.state.nj.us/helpoutnj/reasons.html

A Neighbor's Helping Hand - Carl Anderson/Knights of Columbus

http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/volunteers/fairfield.html

It's easy to feel disconnected, as many parents juggle work, school, children, and other activities. But there are some simple things that can bring everyone closer? One of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to unite is through volunteering.  Volunteering also sets a good example for children while helping the community. Reasons to Get Involved

Neighbors Helping Neighbors...

Satisfaction - that comes from genuinely helping our neighbors and others...  When you commit your time and effort to an organization, church, project, or purpose that you feel strongly about, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless.  Some have described it as putting true "purpose" and meaning in their lives... But, remember, volunteering is not about you.  It's about sacrifice - that may result in a feel-good moment or two.  But, self-satisfaction or benefit should never be your  main objective when deciding to volunteer or not.

It Strengthens Your Community - When a community is doing well as a whole, its individuals are better off, too.  At the core of all communities are the good people.  What is community really about? People helping people, or plainly speaking service to others.  When the "service to others"  component of community is thriving, it shows...   Ever visit someone in a town where community involvement is lacking?   Some of the common characteristics are a lack of attendance at church (half full), a lack of community activities, little to no involvement from the community in the town's affairs (but many curbside complaints), and except perhaps for sports, everyone is running around doing their own thing - in their own world.

It Strengthens Your Family - Volunteering is a great way for families to have fun and become even closer. But many people say they don't have the time to volunteer after fulfilling work, school, and other family commitments. If that's the case, try re-thinking some of your free time together as a family and  eliminate some of the "time wasters".  I bet that you could easier find 30-60 minutes a week.  Or, you could select just one or two projects a year and make them a family tradition (for example, making and donating gift bags to our Rutherford Food Pantry or the Kip Senior Center during the holidays).

What Children Can Learn From Volunteering... If volunteering begins at an early age, it can become part of their fabric and character and something they will just expect and want to do.  Importantly, it puts them in "communion" with their community.

And, it will teach them...

A sense of responsibility - By volunteering, children - especially teens - learn what it means to make and keep a commitment. They learn how to be on time for a job, do their best, and take pride in a job well done. But,they also learn that - ultimately - we're all responsible for the well-being of our communities. That one person can make a difference - A wonderful, empowering message for kids is that they're important enough to have an impact on someone - or something. The benefit of sacrifice - By giving up a toy to a less fortunate child, a child learns the Good that comes from sacrifice. Cutting back on recreation time to help clean up a park for example helps  teens to appreciate that there are important things besides themselves and their immediate needs and wants.

Tolerance - Working in their community can bring children in touch with people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and education and income levels. They'll learn that even the most diverse individuals can be united by "common values".

Job skills - Community service can help assist young people to decide  their future careers...  Are they interested in the medical field? Well, hospitals and clinics often have teenage volunteer programs. Do they love politics? Kids can work on real campaigns of local political candidates. Learning to work as a teammember, taking on leadership roles, setting project goals? these are all skills that can be gained by volunteering and will serve teens well in any future career.

How to fill idle time wisely - If kids aren't involved in traditional after-school activities, community service is a wonderful alternative.

Volunteering on Your Own...

If you've never been involved in community service before, volunteering as an individual may be a good place to start. Want to improve your computer knowledge? Well, you could get "free" on-the-job training by volunteering at a local church office or animal shelter. Have you been out of the workforce raising children? Volunteering may be a painless way for you to get back into the routine of working before taking the plunge into a paid position.

And if you're looking for a career change, volunteering is a networker's dream. You can meet people who may offer opportunities you've never thought of... You can sample different workplaces and see how you like various fields. Your volunteering will definitely help others and may also help you.  And, it's a great way to keep moving.

I'm Ready to Reach Out and be a Volunteer...  Sign Me Up!

http://www.state.nj.us/helpoutnj/volunteer.html  

When Thinking About Volunteering, Ask Yourself the Following Questions...

• What are my interests?
• What are my skills?
• Do I have any special needs?
• Do I have a method of transportation?
• How many hours a week can I commit to volunteer?
• And, importantly, why do I want to volunteer?

Good Volunteer Jobs for Families and Children...

Families can do many volunteer jobs. Even the smallest child (with adult supervision) can pick up garbage at the park or playground. You don't even have to be part of a big effort to do this. Get your family together, take some garbage bags, and head out. Or, become involved in repair and renovation efforts for low-income residents.

Younger kids might not be able to do the big jobs, but helping out by fetching a paintbrush or holding  utensils involves them just the same. Work at a community food bank or soup kitchen as a family. Find a church or organization that serves the elderly like the Kip Center.

Take food to people who are homebound and visit with them. Your children can brighten a lonely senior's day instantly. Offer your family's help at the local animal shelter. Help plant flowers or trees. The possibilities are endless.  Or, as mentioned before, you could select just one or two projects a year and make them a family tradition (for example, making and donating gift bags to our Rutherford Food Pantry or the Kip Senior Center during the holidays).

Whatever you choose to do, volunteering by helping others  can benefit both the community and your family. So, why not get involved today!