Survival Tips in This New Economy

I am working on an e-book that is due out in a month or so, that will give some tips on how to survive this job market. The material from this book comes from my experience here at our Career Center and from years as an entrepreneur and leader.

This is a tip that my job counselor shared with me today. She has been advising job candidates that in order to fill the big gaps on their resumes from being out of work so long, is to Volunteer! I thought that was a great idea.

Non profits all over the US are facing financial stress but the work must go on. Why not pitch in and in the process, gain some valuable experience that may help you in your next job. You can learn a new skill or you can use the skills you have and keep them up to date and sharp. This way, Everybody wins! Visit http://www.oasiscompassion.org for mission info.

Empowerment - why it is so important.

As the job market begins to get tighter, its even more important that agencies such as Oasis Compassion continue down the path of empowering our clients. One of my staff members said it this way, "it's the kinder thing to do". People who are finding themselves out of jobs and in need of social services, do not need the crutch of getting handouts without giving something in return. That type of behavior encourages bad habits.

While there are many people who desperately need food, we as social service providers, should never take the "easy" way out and provide hand-outs, rather, let's take the more difficult path of loving these individuals enough to want to invest in their turnaround. Let's help re-train and teach them new skills, encourage them to continually market themselves. As my assistant says, "it's the kinder thing to do.
Visit www.oasiscompassion.org for mission info.

Focus on Faces, Not Statistics

I subscribe to Google Alerts for information regarding Poverty and Hunger, and I came across an interesting article recently that was posted in the Winchester Star newspaper. Below is an excerpt from the article:

"As staggering as the statistics are, however, I would ask that you focus not on numbers but on the human face of this crisis. Maybe the elderly woman sitting next to you in church isn’t taking her medication because she can’t afford to buy it. Maybe a child on your son’s or daughter’s sports team has gone to bed hungry for the past week because a necessary car repair ate up the food budget. Maybe your neighbor got laid off and is putting a brave face on it but is silently despairing at how he’s going to feed his family. Maybe you recognize yourself in these scenarios".

The above statement represents the many faces we see at Oasis each day and I hope that you would just look a little bit more closely at the stranger or even your neighbor the next time you see them. Perhaps you may want to ask "How are you doing these days?" and be prepared to lend a hand.

COMMITMENT!

I decided to dedicate this week's blog to Pastor Dudley Hodges and his flock at Boynton Beach Community Church, after spending a fun-filled, mission-driven, action-packed day in Bryant Park in Lake Worth for the first annual BBCC/Oasis Compassion Agency "Stop the Hunger" awareness concert.

Pastor Dudley and his congregants demonstrate to me what it looks like when an organization or group is truly committed to a cause or purpose. Not only does that commitment last through the years, the results are lasting, and the impact great. The BBCC group has been a partner with Oasis for five years and have not wavered in their support.

Wake up community! Take a page from BBCC's book and let's help get the less fortunate amongst us back on their feet. Together we are stronger, together we change the community!

Visit BBCC at www.bbcconline.com.

Survival Tips For This Economy

By this time, I believe there is not one person over the age of 12 who does not know that our country is facing its worst economic moment in recent history. You cannot turn on the television, radio or pick up the newspaper, without that fact screaming at you. I know for me personally, it seems that more than half of the people I know (not my clients) are facing various stages of personal financial stress and loss without any silver lining in plain view. How then, can one survive and possible thrive during these times?

Well, I do not propose to be an expert, far from it, but I do notice some trends that seem to be working for those who wish to embrace them. First, its time to get back to basics; Faith, Family and Friends. It's time to simplify and draw closer to family and friends. Now is also a good time to evaluate your faith and the foundation on which it is built. Now is a good time to get rid of the excesses in your life. It could mean getting rid of an extra home (even though the selling market is tough currently), extra car, the furniture you may have in storage etc. etc. Turn those items into cash wherenyou can.

I like to eat out once per week on date nights with my husband; however in these times, I have had to re-assess my priorities and find creative ways of still spending quality time with my husband at a fraction of a cost. I am actually having fun in the process!

Entertain your friends and family in your home more this year. I always have a blast when I do so! Plan a simple meal, do it potluck style to share the costs. The whole point is to get together and make it a time of mutual encouragement and idea generation. You never know where your next big idea will come from. You will also gain a new appreciation for the relationships that matter most.

None of us can change the economy, but we can change our attitudes, the quality of our lives and we can certainly reduce the stress as we go through it.

Lastly, rely on God through this time. Afterall, for many of us, we have tried everything else....but God.

Have a successful year!

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Results!

I love hearing stories of ordinary people doing things and thinking bigger than themselves, breaking the mold to make a contribution to their community. Oasis has been blessed by local employees organizing food drives, petitioning their companies trusts and foundations on our behalf, enlisting their trade associations to organize a drive or toiletries, collecting toys at Christmas. Young people engaging their neighbors on behalf of our agency, churches coming together, despite denominational differences to affect change in peoples lives. Past recipients of our services engaging friends and relatives to donate to our cause in order to help someone else, and many more examples, too numerous to mention here.

In each case I mentioned, it started with ONE person. My challenge to you is to be that catalyst for change, right where you are, and it does not matter who you are, how old, what color or size. All it takes is acting on an idea, take one step forward and I guarantee you, the fire will spread!

In the image above, members from the trade group PRM organized a drive to collect gifts for clients for Christmas 2007.

How Do You See Others-Really?

We underestimate those we consider to be marginalized or downtrodden. We underestimate their abilities to "get back up" if given the opportunity-That's what I did anyway in early 2003 when I started this agency. I did what I thought was best and noble, and that was to provide food for the poor. This as a community we should do, but it does not stop there!

I have discovered through the years that people will rise to the expectations you set for them. This is not just true for employees in business or children and parents, it is also true for clients who need basic help to survive. When I applied this principle to the clients visiting our agency, we saw a great increase in self esteem, positive thinking and most important, the clients desire to get beyond their circumstances and get on to something better.

What did we do? We asked clients to invest in themselves, by taking advantage of the free classes and seminars we offered during the six month period that we agreed to assist them with food and clothing. An amazing thing developed, our clients, including new clients, now seek out our services in greater numbers, not for food, but for the opportunities presented to better themselves and to hopefully get a better job.

I believe that as a society, it is not just nice or good to help those who find themselves in a less fortunate situation than ourselves, but rather that we must! There is a slogan I heard somewhere that goes something like this "the life you save may be your own." I believe the same is true about investing in your community. Our client base includes teachers, secretaries, office assistants and college graduates. Obviously, we also have our fair share of struggling immigrants, alcoholics and homeless individuals. This tells me that anyone at anytime can fall victim to poverty and hard times, simply by being out of work for too long a period, becoming separated from a mate who was a provider or battling an extended medical condition. Anyone. Including you.

Therefore, it is our duty to be active participants in the solutions our communities so desperately need. Become engaged, and the next time you see a bum on the street, instead of thinking loser...think potential winner!

Post your comments below and share your thoughts with us.