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Employment Ministry Brings Jobs

 Ken Amaro  Dave Wax     Created: 7/10/2009 5:15:50 PM    Updated: 7/10/2009 6:06:56 PM
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JULINGTON CREEK, FL -- When 62-year old David Francis lost his job it was an emotional setback.

"You go through a lot of emotions and you feel the fear, what am I going to do?" says Francis.

Francis is a mechanical engineer and has held a job for the past 40 years. He says being out of work in 2009 has required tremendous adjustment.

"I had to learn how to sell myself," says Francis.

Francis is getting help in rewriting his resume, sharpening his interview skills and networking from the Employment Ministry of Creekside Christian Church.

Annie Grogan is a Human Resources Professional and a member of the church. Grogan heads the employment ministry.

"What we are trying to do is offer people what they need when they're out of employment," says Grogan.

Grogan says through a series of workshops they try to prepare the participants for the new workforce.

"One of the things we point out is that the way to find a job has really changed," says Grogan.

We are in a more technology-driven world, she says. Grogan feels the church is a perfect place to help people out of work fill their needs both emotionally and spiritually.

David Francis says the program has built up his confidence.

"I'm still sending out resumes, but I am confident I will get a job by the end of the year; it is a matter of waiting," says Francis.

Grogan says they have teamed up their Employment Ministry with ten other churches and now call it the Employment Ministry Coalition of Northeast Florida.

"We have had some success stories," says Grogan.

They have scheduled a number of workshops. The upcoming meeting will focus on the spouses of men who have lost their jobs.

To find the scheduled and location of upcoming workshops, go to www.creeksidechurch.com and click the link to the employment ministry.

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