Pavement Pounders - A Job Support And Networking Group

June 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Pavement Pounders
On Wednesday afternoon, a group of men and women gather in the library at St. Elizabeth’s Church.  Though the usual agenda of such a group is coffee and cake, the participants of this day lean forward, their notebooks and pens poised, as they exchange tips and plans, but this is no Bible study group.

The information at Pavement Pounders, a job networking and support group that meets each Wednesday at 4:00 pm, shares ideas from stretching your finances during unemployment to finding the right career path. Job-seekers encourage each other to face the many challenges of unemployment.  The group takes its name from the grind of pounding the pavement for interviews, or in today’s job search market the term is often more apt to be the pounding on the keyboard.  The search can be grueling.  

The mantra often repeated is, “refine that resume, keep up the search, and follow those leads.”   For people such as Laura Milton, who lost her 12-year cash management job last year, Pavement Pounders was a valuable tool in her job search. The Episcopal Church has long been involved in the important vocational matters of life.  What one does for work is an important part of faith -faith in action.  For Milton, turning to her church for help with job search seemed natural.  

Thanks to the help she drew from the group and her resolve to set weekly goals, she found a position with a new company and was soon working overtime.  The group gave me the assurance I needed saying, “you’ll find the position that is right for you.” Milton added: “it paid off for me.”

"This is a weekly filling station, a vocational gas up for the road trip that lies ahead," said Michael Moore, Priest at St. Elizabeth’s and facilitator of Pavement Pounders. "Members can support each other because they know what searching for a job is like.”  

While support is key, it's not just all talk; you get lots of tips and leads too. The group members emphasize that “it is not what you know but who you know.”  “It is so encouraging to see that each attendee wants to see everyone succeed,” said Moore.  

“Looking for employment, that is a full-time job in itself for it requires tremendous inner strength and courage,” said Moore.  “And it is an act of faith.  Participants work hard planning, and making contact like it's all up to their efforts, but we also hope and pray that all things work for good and remind one another that God is with us in the midst of all these changes."

"Sometimes I'd walk through the door weighted down with anxiety and grief and leave later feeling so much better." Bryan Forkey said. "I want to support others and give back like so many people have done for me."

"The church is a lot more to people than just a place of worship," Moore said. "It's the institution that people look to for help and information."  "" Many in our world have been caught up in the tentacles of things and created a web of debt. Pavement Pounders teaches people the benefits of a supportive community of faith as they reevaluate the importance of money and possessions during a time of unemployment.  

A person who's having problems with finances doesn't do better spiritually until they handle that aspect of their life," said Moore. "Money and finances is one of these things our teaching tells us we have to keep in balance."

Future plans for Pavement Pounders include the addition of speakers on topics of interest to job seekers.  “There is an abundance of resources in the community and St. Elizabeth’s wants to be an avenue to match those resources with those in need.  For additional information, contact Fr. Michael Moore at the church – (904)751-2626.  




Side bar or point information about Pavement Pounders
►Initial success rate of 85% to 95%
► Members agree to maintain confidentiality
► No charge to participate
► open to everyone who is unemployed, under-employed, changing careers or entering the job market
► a public service sponsored by St. Elizabeth’s as a ministry to the community

About St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church
Located on Jacksonville’s growing north side, St. Elizabeth's is an inclusive parish forming Christian faith. It is a member of the Diocese of Florida and the worldwide Anglican community. Worship services at St. Elizabeth’s are comfortable and family-oriented, with liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer. Although smaller in size, the warmth is enormous and newcomers are welcomed like old friends. Pastored by the Reverend Michael Moore, the church is nestled   under the trees at 1735 Leonid Road, just off Dunn Avenue, one mile west of I-95. Weekly services on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. are followed by coffee and refreshments. For more information, call the church office at (904)751-2626

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St. Elizabeth's is an inclusive parish forming Christian faith. We are a member of the Diocese of Florida and the worldwide Anglican community. Worship services are comfortable and family-oriented, with liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer.