Support group offered for jobless

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - People losing their jobs can be left with feelings of anger and fear.

Now, they have a place to go for help. Faith Baptist Church has started a job loss support group to help people network and learn to job seeking skills, while supporting others in the same situation.

"We want to let people in the community know, that they're not alone., said Ken Mapes, former Director of Operations for an international consulting firm.

Mapes is one of nearly 15 people, meeting at Faith Community Center each week to encourage others in the same situation.

"I've spent a lot of time on the internet, a lot of time on the phone," he said. "Networking has been the biggest thing."

Mapes was laid off from his job in February. He and other unemployed workers, are looking to others for help. Donna Collison lost her job at Chemtura after working there for more than 20 years.

"I admit I went home that day and probably cried for a couple of hours because it was a little fearful," Collison said. "After you've been somewhere for 20 years and realize you're no longer allowed in the building there's a lot of emotions that go through your mind."

John Maldonado worked at Wabash National for four years. He said the group has helped him find new skills.

"Everybody that I've met so far they gave me their cell phone numbers, email addresses, if we ever get kind of down you can just call them up and say 'Hi'," he said.

Group leader Andy Woodall said the group looks at how the Bible deals with emotions that come from job loss such as anger, fear, and depression. But he said it isn't about wallowing in self-pity.

"We have a training time, so there's a period of about 20 to 30 minutes where we hit an issues that's going to best help them to be able to grow through this job loss experience so it's not just viewed as a 'Wow, I'm down and that's the only thing for me.' But, it's an encouraging and training time," Woodall said.

The group meets each Wednesday from 8 a.m to 9:30 a.m at the Faith Community Center. This week's session (3/25) includes a representative from careerbuilder.com who will share how to best prepare an online resume.

Woodall said the church also offers additional job training sessions such as computer skills on Wednesday evenings. Find out more here.

For those planning to attend the job loss support group please e-mail Pastor Andy Woodall by clicking here.