Help for church job support groups

When you drive around the region, you'll notice the signs. There are more job support groups forming and many of them are at local churches.

Charlotte-based interfaith group, Mecklenburg Ministries, plans to bring those groups together this week at a luncheon and workshop. It's a partnership with the Charlotte Regional Recovery Initiative and aims to give insight and direction to those who wish to start a support group and fresh ideas and encouragement for groups already in operation.

Among the scheduled speakers is Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who'll focus on the economy and the job outlook in Charlotte.

The group will also hear from Bryon Brogan from Matthews United Methodist Church with information on best practices. Justin Ruckman of CLT Blog will discuss the pros, cons and innovative uses of social media. And Doug Forest from Church at Charlotte will provide an updated list of job support groups in the area.

Mecklenburg Ministries executive director Maria Hanlin says even though we're hearing more stories of recovery, the need is still great.

"A lot of people have been hanging on with their savings. They are feeling up against a wall and needing a job and feeling more desperate because they've been out of work for a while," Hanlin said.

The support groups, she feels, can make a huge difference. "First of all, a lot of folks have gotten work and found jobs through these networking groups and gotten back to being employed and doing things they wanted to do," she said. "For some, it's been a lifeline of support to keep them going when they're discouraged and it's a group that says we believe in you and don't give up."

The Job Resources Luncheon & Workshop is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. The event is geared toward clergy and church staff, but Hanlin says she'll find room for anyone who's looking to start a job support group.

To reserve a spot, e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

You can also check out Mecklenburg Ministries' Web site, www.meckmin.org, for more job support information including a link to a list of 37 job support groups currently up and running.

Have ideas for the job hunt? E-mail Bobby Sisk at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .