I received this email from one of the people we interviewed in Detroit, Michigan, and she gave me her permission to add her email to our blog.
Monday, I will see if there is anything I can do to help her. In the meantime, if you can send her your moral support through a blog post, I know she would appreciate it. Thank you very much.
Hello,
I don’t know if you well remember who I am. But I was the person you interviewed at Operation ABLE, in Detroit, Michigan. I just wanted to let you know how things are going.
Well, I haven’t found a job. My phone is off, Cable and Internet is next, My bills are all behind. The Last Unemployment check that I received was on May 28, 2010. I have no Income, my retirement funds are empty, and I did finally get a increase in my food stamps from $16.00 a month to $200.00 a month.
But, unless I have shut off notices for my utilities and evection notice for the rent of my home “Human Resources” (Welfare) can’t help me.
I have never felt so degrade, defeated, and lost especially by our government. Because those of us who are not receiving any unemployment are not in the count of those receiving. So it reflects a smaller amount of people unemployed.
I feel like have have failed and if I died tomorrow no one would care. It’s hard when you been looking for work and no one seems to want you. I have skills but no degree. the discouragement gets stronger as the days go by.
I don’t know where to go.
Thank you for listening and caring about those of us 55 and over struggling to make it.
Mary Eilola
Comments
Dear Mary, my name is R. Smth, my wife and I has the same problem. We are both are educated and over 50 been looking for work for 2 years. we got to the point where we got a car title loan to pay bills and rent thinking we may find a job by time to pay the first month on the loan, that dnt happen. Now we've created another problem. Rent, bills and loan is due. This made my wife very sick. Maybe our faith is not as strong as it should be? We still believe that God will send someone or someone will send what we need to manage through. Mary we feel you, just build your faith up as we will do the same
I am John P. I am a 47 old (round up and I am), college educated (student loan still owed), 7 year US Army Vet, that is working three jobs, doing dirty hard work, packing earthworms, slamming cans (5 cent refund center), and sweeping streets. Oh, I just got let go from that one but (f) it! They called to let me know on my only Federal Holiday I will ever celebrate again. I got lucky and was able to celebrate with the politicians, bureaucrats, and judges. I use to hate them damn attorneys but I salute you counselor(s) saw you working too... My new address is: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyBuffalo Video Link: http://www.overfiftyandoutofwork.com/
Dear Mary, How did our grandparents manage before us in the Great Depression? Once again we are in an economy/job market that is devastatingly unstable in some parts of the United States. I don't know your details and I am sure you have done so much to get back on track. Have faith and please try to keep yourself mentally, physically and socially stimulated. My thoughts are with you. Patricia
Mary, I read your story on Susan Sipprelle's blog, www.overfiftyandoutofwork.com, and my heart went out to you. It is so frustrating to be over 50 and out of work in this current time when you know so many private sector firms are flush with cash (in the trillions) but refuse to invest in expansion and staff additions because of the uncertain business environment. So many people I know have spent months, even years, sitting in front of their computer sending hundreds (even thousands) of job applications and resumes out without receiving a single response from the Human Resources Departments of the prospective employers (your comment about the federal government struck a chord with me by the way). If there ever was a way to make a person feel isolated and unwanted, this process is it. That being said, there is a way out. Here are the lessons I learned when I was in the same position as you: *Get out from behind the computer and join as many job networking groups as you can because by talking to people who are in the same situation as you are, leads to brainstorming sessions with your colleagues that can produce job leads and entrepreneurial opportunities. If it is over long distances like Detroit and New York, use the LinkedIn social media system to network and brainstorm. *I decided to take one of those entrepreneurial opportunities by joining an excellent financial services firm and am attempting to build a book of business using the skills I accumulated from nearly three decades on Wall Street. I found my opportunity through a networking meeting. *Other colleagues have decided to form their own start-up firm and market their skill sets to firms here in the New York metropolitan area as Project Managers and Consultants. You may tell me these are only temporary jobs but once you get your foot in the door and demonstrate your expertise, who knows what can happen. In finishing, let me leave you with this thought from Everett Hale: I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything , but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do! The morale of the story is persevere and talk to your friends and colleagues. There are people out here willing to help you but at the end of the day, you must help yourself. Please count me among your friends. Connect with me on LinkedIn if you want to talk. Patrick http://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickjodonnell5