BBCS's Community Response Center:
On the Front Lines
It's not a pretty picture.
New York City unemployment continues to rise, hitting 8.8% in February, the second highest of any metropolitan area. The national unemployment rate is 6.0%. — New York State Department of Labor
Nationally, some 2.4 million jobs were lost over the past two years, and 308,000 were lost in March alone (the most since the two months after 9/11). — U.S. Department of Labor
The number of workers unemployed for more than six months grew from an average of 650,000 in 2000 to over 1.5 million in 2002. — Bureau of Labor Statistics
And according to the latest monthly figures for January 2003, one-fifth (19.8%) of all unemployed workers were still looking for work after six months, a total of 1.68 million workers, nearly double the figure (11.2%) two years ago in March 2001. — Bureau of Labor Statistics
The impact of the World Trade Center disaster continues to reverberate on the city, state and federal economies. Everyday, the tragic consequences are evident in the stories we hear at the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service's Community Response Center (CRC), where the Bureau has been providing employment assistance and relief services to people who lost their jobs as a result of 9/11.
"Our commitment to our clients and our empathy for their daily struggles remains great because the need is still there," said Donna Santarsiero, Executive Director, Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service (BBCS). "Too many people are still out of work; thousands have exhausted their unemployment benefits and are finding themselves without the resources to pay for basic necessities: shelter, food and medical care for themselves and their families. Our clients are among the hardest hit."
Since September 18th, 2001, the CRC has assisted over 11,200 individuals, including adults, children and other family members. It has provided intensive relief services including counseling, case management, referral and advocacy services, cash assistance and employment services, such as job counseling, skills training in areas like computers, resume writing and more.
Job seekers learn employment tips and strategies at a Community Response Center workshop.
The CRC's job placement services have been highly effective. Of the 333 individuals who were assisted in securing employment prior to March 1, 2003, 96% have retained their jobs for at least 60 days. Of those meeting the 180-day milestone, 92% have retained employment. Given the current state of the economy and a New York City unemployment rate of 8.6% in February, the CRC's success rate is remarkable.
Through the support of organizations like The Robin Hood Foundation, The New York Times 9/11 Neediest Cases Fund, AIG Disaster Relief Fund, International Paper Company Employee Relief Fund, McCormick Tribune Foundation, Stroock Spirit of New York Fund, Junior League Disaster Relief Fund, September 11th Fund, MBIA Foundation, the U.S. Jaycees, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue and others, the CRC has been able to offer hope — and tangible assistance — to those literally struggling to survive.
As the economy has weakened, the CRC has adapted its services. With a decrease in available emergency financial resources, there is a greater emphasis on employment assistance, counseling, and other supports. Advocacy has become critical as well, as CRC staff help clients navigate the paperwork and red tape required to secure government and other benefits they may be entitled to but which are often difficult to obtain.
The innovative CRC staff — social workers, case managers, employment specialists, job developers and intake workers — have recently developed several new support groups to enable people who lost their jobs or are underemployed as a result of 9/11 to share information and help each other, as well as to maximize resources.
For more information about the Community Response Center or to make an appointment, please call 718-855-0550.
We are pleased to share with you a list of helpful Job Search Tips developed by our employment counselors.
If you have a job opening or would like to work with a CRC employment prospect, please call 718-855-0550, or fax 718-858-3708, or email: crcworkshops2003@yahoo.com
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