Employment Team builds hope and community
by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer, Community Ministries Coordinator
The Employment Team at Central Lutheran Church works for a healthier community where all people are able to access meaningful employment. Founded just under a year ago, the Employment Team was developed as an outreach of the Restoration Center, Central’s outreach/social justice center.
With the recession in full force this past year we were seeing dozens of people coming in each week looking for work. A couple of dedicated volunteers were meeting regularly with guests but we realized we needed something stronger in place—a coordinated group of people to work together and a system focusing on jobs to better serve our guests.
The Employment Team has nine members that have met with over 100 people since May 2009. They work with walk-ins to the Restoration Center and by appointment to create resumes, write cover letters, and to do online job searches. They also maintain an employment board of current job openings in the metro area. Four of the team members are available to meet one on one in the Restoration Center and the rest work remotely finding job opportunities for individuals and for the employment board.
What makes this group different from other employment services is that we tailor-make each session to the individual’s needs and we create an instant network. Many of our guests come in with multiple barriers to employment including criminal background, lack of work history and lack of education or training. Many do not have an abundance of family or community support. While working one on one with an individual we email their resume and other pertinent information to the whole team so that all of us can network and find opportunities.
A woman named Precious came in about three months ago looking for work. She had been unemployed for a while and she was desperate for income. She met with one of our job coaches who, with help from the team, found her a number of potential opportunities. She was in email contact with the team for a few weeks and then for awhile we didn’t hear anything. She called me a month ago to let us know the great news: she had acquired three part time jobs! Precious is hoping to give up two of the part-time jobs when she becomes a full-time employee at a childcare center.
How many people have found employment through this program? It’s difficult to say as many people pass through and do not necessarily follow-up afterward. We know that at least 15 people have found work directly through this program and many more have landed interviews and made connections. Often times we are a step in the journey. The team focuses on bridging gaps, offering opportunities, motivating, and helping folks get their name out. We are becoming more effective as we go and therefore we are starting to make more of an impact.
This work is all about hope, the hope that God gives a community of faith working together. Self-sufficiency is impossible for most of us; we need community to be whole. Wholeness comes through community in Christ. May we work together for a stronger and healthier community with God at the center!
by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer, Community Ministries Coordinator
July 9, 2010
The Employment Team at Central Lutheran Church works for a healthier community where all people are able to access meaningful employment. Founded just under a year ago, the Employment Team was developed as an outreach of the Restoration Center, Central’s outreach/social justice center.
With the recession in full force this past year we were seeing dozens of people coming in each week looking for work. A couple of dedicated volunteers were meeting regularly with guests but we realized we needed something stronger in place—a coordinated group of people to work together and a system focusing on jobs to better serve our guests.
The Employment Team has nine members that have met with over 100 people since May 2009. They work with walk-ins to the Restoration Center and by appointment to create resumes, write cover letters, and to do online job searches. They also maintain an employment board of current job openings in the metro area. Four of the team members are available to meet one on one in the Restoration Center and the rest work remotely finding job opportunities for individuals and for the employment board.
What makes this group different from other employment services is that we tailor-make each session to the individual’s needs and we create an instant network. Many of our guests come in with multiple barriers to employment including criminal background, lack of work history and lack of education or training. Many do not have an abundance of family or community support. While working one on one with an individual we email their resume and other pertinent information to the whole team so that all of us can network and find opportunities.
A woman named Precious came in about three months ago looking for work. She had been unemployed for a while and she was desperate for income. She met with one of our job coaches who, with help from the team, found her a number of potential opportunities. She was in email contact with the team for a few weeks and then for awhile we didn’t hear anything. She called me a month ago to let us know the great news: she had acquired three part time jobs! Precious is hoping to give up two of the part-time jobs when she becomes a full-time employee at a childcare center.
How many people have found employment through this program? It’s difficult to say as many people pass through and do not necessarily follow-up afterward. We know that at least 15 people have found work directly through this program and many more have landed interviews and made connections. Often times we are a step in the journey. The team focuses on bridging gaps, offering opportunities, motivating, and helping folks get their name out. We are becoming more effective as we go and therefore we are starting to make more of an impact.
This work is all about hope, the hope that God gives a community of faith working together. Self-sufficiency is impossible for most of us; we need community to be whole. Wholeness comes through community in Christ. May we work together for a stronger and healthier community with God at the center!
The word is getting out and we need more people to be a part of this team!
If you have an interest in joining the Employment Team please contact
Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer at 612-767-9214 or rlowenberg-deboer@centralmpls.org
All are welcome to come on board and all are welcome to use the services!
Time commitment: One hour meeting per month and 4-8 hours a month of job search
for the employment board or 2 hours a week of one on one job coaching.
Skills: Computers: internet and Microsoft Word. Microsoft Office and/or Publisher can be helpful.
Must know how to apply online for jobs, create resumes,
If you have an interest in joining the Employment Team please contact
Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer at 612-767-9214 or rlowenberg-deboer@centralmpls.org
All are welcome to come on board and all are welcome to use the services!
Time commitment: One hour meeting per month and 4-8 hours a month of job search
for the employment board or 2 hours a week of one on one job coaching.
Skills: Computers: internet and Microsoft Word. Microsoft Office and/or Publisher can be helpful.
Must know how to apply online for jobs, create resumes,
333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-4416