Upcoming Events
Tues. Feb. 2, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Special Needs Commission Meeting.
Contact alan@jfsoc.org
for information.
Wed. Feb 17, 2010
7:00 p.m.
JFS Board of Directors Meeting.
Contact alan@jfsoc.org
for information.
Wed. Feb. 28, 2010
2:30 p.m.
Café Europa event:
OC Survivors Quilt
at Temple Beth Tikvah
in Fullerton.
Contact
sandy@jfsoc.org
for information.
Wed. March 9, 2010
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
OC Works, A community-
wide event for job seekers
1 Federation Way,
Samueli Jewish Campus, Irvine
Contact
jackie@jfoc.org
for information.
Volunteers Needed
Mensch of
the Month
Dan Koblin
Some call Dan Koblin their life saver, and there is a good reason for that. In just two short years Dan has volunteered hundreds of hours as a mentor for some of JFS’ clients who are in dire straights due to unemployment. One man was literally down to his last dollar. Another was ready to give up on ever finding a job. Many others were also at wits end. That is, until Dan came along to be their sounding board and to offer real sound advice. He also used his deep network in the corporate world to provide job leads and connections. As he puts it, “I simply took the time to be encouraging and honest with them. They themselves have been very courageous to listen and persevere."
As a result, one man is now working in his dream job making a six figure income. Another landed a great job in L.A. within his profession. Many others have a renewed vigor thanks to Dan’s pragmatic business sense and caring heart.
Dan is equally as inspiring to the JFS leadership. He has served on several JFS task forces, the executive committee, the executive search committee, and most recently became the new JFS Board Chairman. Dan somehow finds time to also actively serve on the Boards of the Volunteer Center OC and Congregation B’nai Israel, and professionally runs his own practice as a wealth coach helping people, as well.
CLICK HERE to read remainder of story.
The Chai-Light-er Side
If a doctor carries a black bag and a plumber carries a toolbox, what does a mohel carry? A bris-kit!
This edition sponsored by
Harris, Greene LLP
If you'd like to sponsor a JFS E-news, contact alan@jfsoc.org. Thank You!
Next Focus:
Special Needs
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JFS E-News Focus:
Confronting Unemployment
What's New!
Santa Ana, Here We Come! In our efforts to further expand outreach throughout Orange County and to meet the growing needs, JFS has launched a new satellite office in Santa Ana within Temple Beth Sholom. JFS will reach out to the greater Santa Ana community to offer emergency social services (assistance with shelter, food, utilities, etc.) and senior transportation. We will work closely with Temple Beth Sholom’s new Renaissance Club to link Jewish seniors, who no longer drive, to critically needed transportation services. Regular office hours will be Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with appointments as needed during the rest of the week. Temple Beth Sholom is located at 2625 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Welcome New Chair of JFS Board - We’re very pleased to announce that Dan Koblin has been elected as the new Chairman of JFS’s Board of Directors. Dan brings many years of corporate leadership experience as well as a wealth of non-profit board experience. Dan’s energy, dedication, and commitment are infectious. The entire JFS family welcomes him. Read about Dan’s history of dedicated service to JFS in this month’s “Mensch of the Month” article.
Thank You to Outgoing Board Chair - A special thank you to our past JFS Board Chairman
Brian Mandel. His more than two years of leadership was invaluable and we thank him for his
enthusiastic support and hard work on behalf of JFS.
Did you know?
- Orange County lost 3,100 jobs just in December 2009, and 53,000 jobs over the past year.
- The unemployment rate in Orange County was 9.4 percent in November 2009. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 12.2 percent for California and 9.4 percent for the nation during the same period.
- The GOOD news – By 2011, the Cal State Long Beach economic forecast projects Orange County will get its mojo back, growing by nearly 21,000 jobs, a 1.4% increase. That, however, will still leave the county more than 37,000 jobs below its 2006 employment peak.
JFS is the first responder for people confronting unemployment.
The Impact & How JFS Responds
JFS has seen first hand how the downturn in the economy has affected Orange County’s families and individuals – particularly in the area of job loss. Over the past year JFS has witnessed a 48% increase in requests from people who have lost their jobs, ranging from needing counseling and a mentor to asking for emergency assistance just to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.
In the past six months our employment counselor has helped 67 people, who unexpectedly found themselves unemployed and worried about their future, to conduct a competitive job search. She helped them to refocus their job search strategies, improve their resumes, and learn more effective job interviewing skills. Perhaps most importantly, she provided them with emotional support and the tools to help them build their self confidence so that they could face the tough odds of a difficult job market. During this period, we are happy to report that we were able to help successfully place 16 of these clients in jobs throughout the community.
In addition to helping with the job search, JFS has helped literally hundreds of people in the past six months cope with the financial challenges caused by unemployment: moving and relocating, downsizing, having to make tough choices, and doing more with less.
Real people:
F.R. had a good job and a roof over his head in Orange County. He was content. That was until he lost his job and then his confidence. The little work he did find only paid for food and gas. Homelessness was never an option…yet without being able to afford rent he lost his apartment and joined the thousands of homeless living on the streets of Orange County. His car became his home. Soon he grew desperate to change his life. That’s when he turned to Jewish Family Service (JFS) for help.
JFS assisted F.R. through a combination of employment counseling, emergency financial assistance, case management with thoughtful planning and follow up, and psychotherapeutic counseling. Today, F.R. is employed and once again has his own apartment. He is determined to remain self-sufficient and is very grateful to JFS for all the help he received. As he said, “JFS saved my life.”
CLICK HERE for another moving story.
JFS programs help people who’ve lost their jobs to get back on their feet.
Our Counseling Program helps people cope with depression, anxiety, and stress caused by such changes as loss of job and security, and the increased pressures and other losses that come as a result of unemployment.
Our Mentor Program pairs clients with a caring JFS volunteer from business and industry. The mentor offers a compassionate ear, suggests job leads and ideas, and keeps in touch often. JFS clients often say that their mentor made all the difference for them.
Our Women Forward Program helps women over the age of 40 who have experienced a life-crisis and are re-entering the workforce.
Chai Five Ways (+ one more) …
TO COMBAT JOBLESSNESS…!
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First step… Begin a “Success Journal” and every day write down (or type) one success you had – anything big or small you accomplished. The fact is, “success breeds success” and when you feel good about yourself you’ll have more energy and confidence to take on the job search. Just taking the time to read this JFS e-news is a success! P.S. Read your journal often!
- Looking for a job IS a full-time job. So approach it as one. Write down your game plan – give yourself assignments, and don’t quit looking until you find a job.
- Use social media (Facebook, Linkedin etc.) to market yourself. In today’s job marketing, it’s a must!
According to Adam of CAREERKUNGFU.com:
- Brand yourself by starting a blog …then write about what you love, anything you are an expert at! Get employers to chase you that way!
- So you see a job you want to apply for… Tell the employer you are willing to work for free for ONE week. It's like a "life audition" for them to see you in action. Then at the end of the week ask them for the job if they haven't already offered it to you first!
- On the first half of your resume put your "wins" - your biggest successes on the job. You have only about 7 seconds to catch the attention of the employer.
Thoughts from JFS's CEO...
It’s all about employment. Since fall 2008 when the economic crisis began, the loss of jobs has been at the heart of the cascading devastation impacting so many of JFS’s clients. Even people who had experienced lengthy and successful careers found themselves laid-off, unable to find new jobs, and suddenly (or fairly quickly) unable to pay their mortgage, rent, and other bills. Family lives and those living on their own were thrown into chaos.
JFS has been honored to be here, to help these families and individuals. Our employment counselor has assisted many people to reassess career goals and prepared them to seek and start new jobs. Other staff has helped families alter their lifestyles to accommodate the new economic realities. When necessary, we’ve provided counseling and emergency assistance to help them get through the difficult period of transition.
We certainly hope that 2010 will bring greater employment and financial stability to the members of our community. In any event, JFS will be here to provide the help that’s needed.
~ Alan Zamosky, CEO
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