New program to support unemployed
An important new initiative by Jewish House aimed at supporting individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year has been established.
An important new initiative by Jewish House aimed at supporting individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year has been established.
Jewish House Jobs is designed to ensure individuals have all the necessary skills required to gain valuable work experience in their chosen field of interest, with the goal of securing a permanent position.
The program offers a six-month, jobs-ready outcome that includes retraining and upskilling options, workshops to help develop interpersonal skills and mentoring from industry experts to gain confidence in an ever-evolving jobs market.
Long-term unemployment can have a significant impact on a person, and often results in the decline of mental and physical health. It’s a psychological and financial trauma that has a ripple effect.
“It’s a very important part of the journey for many who are overcoming a crisis in their lives and to help them back on their feet,” said Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel.
Jewish House’s head of social services Rosana Coelho said: “I have been working with vulnerable people for many years. There are many hurdles which makes it difficult to find a job. Many people have no qualifications, dropped out of school, some people live with mental illness. The job market is failing people who are most in need. Jewish House Jobs offers a program which will give people some qualifications and help build their self-esteem and confidence. People need to know they matter, and they will have the support they need to succeed on the job market.”
Michelle McEwing, who has worked with Rabbi Kastel on community projects for more than 16 years, has been appointed project coordinator, working closely with Coelho.
“When someone’s been out of work for over a year, they have less chance of finding a pathway to permanent work,” said McEwing.
“Our program will deliver a jobs-ready program with the goal to connect participants with meaningful work experience or placements across a variety of industries.
Jewish House Jobs is attracting a motivated team of coaches and mentors who will start delivering the program in the coming months, including Anna Reznik, Lauren Gordon, Martin Guinness, and Ruth Lilian, who will join Coelho and McEwing.
Lilian, who has served on the Jewish House board and been associated with the organisation for many years, said: “To give back and be able to assist someone to move on with their life is the least I can do. A little help does go a long way.”
Meanwhile, faith leaders from the Uniting Church alongside Jewish, Anglican, Muslim and Catholic faith leaders will come together to call for justice and treatment for people living with drug and alcohol dependency. The opportunity will see church leaders, families and community members come together and pray for fair treatment and better access to better health services.
comments