8:41 PM Thu, Apr 16, 2009 | Permalink
Vickie Newton
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These are extraordinary times. All of us know it. Every time I think I have my emotions pinned to the mat, I read another email from a Saint Louisan who is "Ready to Work".
We launched the series earlier this week, profiling some of the thousands who want to work. And we have received hundreds of emails. Each is important...an attempt to condense a life story into a brief narrative that will end up on television and led to a new job.
In some cases, family and friends are writing on behalf of their loved ones. "Linda" wrote to tell us about her friend of 30 years. The friend and her husband both worked for the same company. When the company closed, they lost their jobs and medical benefits. The husband fell into a deep depression. He was urged to seek counseling, but without insurance, there was a six-week wait. Two weeks before his first session, he committed suicide. The friend lost her home. And her two children...ages 18 and 20...are now paying her bills. She is out of money and running out of hope.
We live in a city of generous, kind, resourceful people. But so many are struggling. If this is your season of prosperity and you can help, please do. Thank you.
Hello,
I served in the military for 24 years and I have not worked in the past 3 years. I'm ready to work! In addition to my many years of experience and training, I will graduate next month from McKendree University with a Business Administration degree with a minor in Spanish. Any support will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I have been out of a job for over a year now. In the past 1.5 years I went through a buyout of the company I worked for, was part of a layoff of about 25% of the employees, lost my wife, and will lose my house in a month. It sure has been a rough time and I am barely making the electric/gas bill, the water and sewer bill and the phone bill so I can be contacted about a job. Things are tough for everyone.
Dear Vickie Newton,
First of all - thank you. I really appreciate Channel 4's attention to Illinois. I make it a point to watch channel 4 because yours is the one station that does not ignore the Metro East!
Now - to business - is there room in your column for people who are trying to change career fields late in life?
I started working for Safeco Insurance Company in November of 1980. Except for a brief period with another company I worked for them most of my adult life. Then in October of last year- just when I tuned 59, I was told to leave.
Officially it was "voluntary". Since Safeco was purchased by another company [Liberty Mutual] I was given the choice of a nice severance package or taking my chances with the new owners. I was devastated!
But I also have discovered that I was burned out. Since that time I have gone back to school and I am now trying to change careers and become a teacher on the college level.
I have found wonderful support through the people at Lindenwood University in Belleville. They have supported and encouraged me almost as much as my close friends and family.
I am hoping to have my teaching credentials by late next year. Fortunately my savings, the package and some other odds and ends have left me financially stable for the next year - but it is really scary!
So, dear Vickie - if you can, remember us who are retooling our minds and skills to start afresh. We are the people who got a lemon, and are hard at work making a lemonade stand!
Cathy Stoltz
Dear Vickie,
Just a note for your Ready to Work segment. After seeking employment for a year and several interviews I find that employers do not necessarily want to hire 60 year old people. We are not all ready for the grave and actually do make good loyal workers. Most of us in the baby boomer era were raised by strict parents with high values and somehow these stuck. It would be nice to get information regarding employers that are interested in older, mature employees. Thanks Patricia Seely
Vickie
(continuation of my letter)
I would like to meet with other people, who are basically in the same position as my wife and I, and discuss different ways of surviveing the hard times. You know, we can all sit around and talk about how sorry we are feeling for ourselves and get very depressed or we can meet with others and pool our ideas and resources to help each other. Yes, I know that talking doesn't pay the bills, but if we, as a group, can save just one person from going down that dark depression tunnel, I feel that in a sense, I have Returned to Work. Thank you for your time.
Hi Vickie!
I watch you on the news all the time. Congratulations on your marriage.
We loved having you at Central Baptist! Hope you enjoyed the sermon.
Moving on...
It seems like everyone is in awe of the unemployment rates that have skyrocketed in recent weeks. While the concern is valid, many 20 something and 30 something college graduates have been experiencing what feels like a "recession" for quite a while. Some of us weeks, some of us months, and some of us years!
Frankly it seems that only those with degrees in Education or Healthcare are able to find a decent job in the STL metro area.
I, along with two of my very close friends are college graduates who have struggled to find suitable, well-paying employment in St. Louis and other areas.
The three of us have degrees. One in Kinesiology, one in Architecture and one in Liberal Arts. While I realize that there are not an abundance of jobs in the fields that we have chosen, I feel like we just don't have any options. I feel forced to stay in grad school just to have the opportunity to live a somewhat comfortable life later. My student loan debt is mounting every semester and I feel like it is all in vain. My friend with the Kinesiology degree was recently hired for a government position but it is a term position, so she may work for 1 year or 4 years which is better than nothing yet not stable enough. My other friend and I continue to look for work we have even started small businesses. Even being "entrepreneurs" we have not built a client base due to lack of experience.
Vickie, I know it sounds like i'm just complaining but I really am at the end of my rope. I just don't know what to do.
Thank you so so much for your interest in stories like this one. You are immensely appreciated.
Hi Vickie, I worked for General Electric for 17 years as an assembly operator and machine operator and the plant closed and moved to Mexico in February of 07 I have been unemployed every since I have a 16 year old son who really doesn't understand what is going on he constantly ask for things that I can't give him and it hurts me that I can't get him the things he needs right now my unemployment has ran out and I don't know how I'm gonna pay my bills i needed a job when my job ended its very stressful right now i'm trying to locate programs that can help me with my bills and my mortgage I don't know what I would do if I would lose my home I'm 3 months behind and at this point I will take any job my transmission just went out in my car and its just no end in sight at least I feel that way right now.
my husband got laid off back in jan and i have not worked for awhile due to medcial reason's and we just went homeless on june 29th and we are both looking for a job with no luck if anyone can help us get a job contact me at my email address