News
Friday September 3, 2010
CCN Article in The American Israelite - September 3, 2010
Jewish Vocational Service’s Cincinnati Career Network
Helps Cincinnatians Succeed in Tough Economic Times
CINCINNATI, OH:--- Like many Cincinnatians struggling to find meaningful employment in an uncertain economy, Andrea Nadel—a recent college graduate who returned home from an internship in Israel several months ago— found few, if any, job prospects. Learning about Jewish Vocational Service’s (JVS) Cincinnati Career Network (CCN), Andrea called, seeking support and guidance from the program—which provides a wide range of networking, professional development, and individual career counseling services designed to help clients succeed in their job searches. “Cincinnati Career Network was a vital resource for me,” says Andrea, who found employment as a Planning Research Associate at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati with the support of CCN’s staff and programs. “The strategies and tools that I learned have been incredibly helpful, and the dedication of the Career Specialists was crucial in helping me land my current job.”
Recently, volunteers serving on the Jewish Federation’s Planning & Allocations Committee’s Youth and Family Council made site visits to JVS in order to see first hand how CCN is meeting this critical community need. Council members Susan Brenner, Judy Schaengold, Dr. Judith Van Ginkel and David Schimberg met with JVS personnel and participated in two workshops as part of their work—which includes making allocation recommendations for the program to the Planning and Allocations Committee.
Dr. Judith Van Ginkel observed that, “The JVS Career Network is meeting an important community need—helping people negotiate a difficult labor market. The JVS staff is dedicated and committed to helping people at all income levels prepare for and find jobs.”
As national employment figures approach record high levels—and local unemployment figures exceed national percentages—CCN has intensified its efforts to help hundreds of community members of all ages, backgrounds and abilities identify desirable employment opportunities. “First and foremost, CCN is about helping the individual do what’s best for them to find a job,” said Barry Wolfson, Program Manager of the Cincinnati Career Network. “Our focus is on serving members of the Jewish community who are out of work or underemployed. This also serves the Jewish community by helping its members stay in Cincinnati, and either remain as— or become —contributors to community.”
Following the site visit, Youth and Family Council member David Schimberg said he was impressed with the work of CCN. “JVS’ Career network provides a critically important service to people in our community who are in a tough spot in their lives.”
Nearly 100 members of the community have committed themselves to experiencing first-hand the programs and initiatives for which the community’s agencies are requesting funding. It is believed that this deeper level of engagement—which will include input from clients as well as staff—will result in more insightful recommendations to the Planning and Allocations Committee and more efficient distribution of the Jewish Federation’s available funds.
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The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati brings our community together to care for Jews in Cincinnati, in Israel, and around the world, and develops opportunities for each of us to embrace a Jewish life.
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