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Laid off workers find support, place to talk

19 February 2009

Laid off workers find support, place to talk
By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer
Dayton Daily News

Thursday, February 19, 2009

SPRINGBORO — Roy Dyer has worked in sales most of his life.

Forty years of experience has taught him that he's got a better chance of closing a deal if he can just get in front of someone.

These days, that someone is a job interviewer. But in this severe economic recession, the Springboro man hasn't been able to secure one interview in the month since he was laid off from Dayton Supply & Tool Co.

"One of the problems when you get to my age is people do have a tendency to overlook you," the silver-haired man said Wednesday, Feb. 18, during a support group meeting at the Coffman Family YMCA in Springboro.

The YMCA of Greater Dayton has started sponsoring the weekly sessions for those who are out of work there and at other branches in Huber Heights, Englewood and Eaton.

Steve Gill, community development director for the YMCA of Greater Dayton, said officials came up with the idea after realizing that long-time Y members were among those losing their jobs.

"They've been with us when things were good, we should be with them when things aren't," he said.

Gill, a former pastor, saw value in involving pastors from various churches who hold weekly services at YMCAs because they know something about helping people work through the stages of grief. Those feelings — including shock, anger and resentment, depression and worry — can surface after a job loss, too.

"When you don't address those feelings they tend to explode out of control," said Tom Hanover, pastor of Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church in Huber Heights who is the facilitator of the support group at the Huber Heights YMCA.

Hanover believes individuals who have lost employment can benefit from talking to others who have experienced the same thing.

"They're able to tell their stories and talk about their anger with their employer without being judged by somebody," said Carol Hughes, executive director of the Coffman YMCA.

Y officials hope that some networking will occur during the meetings and Hughes has already seen a bit of that. She recalled a man who had not interviewed for a job in 25 years and wasn't sure where to begin. Another man in the group had offered some suggestions.

"We're not involved in helping them find a new job," Hughes said. "We're here for them to lean on and maybe throw some resources their way."

At this week's Springboro support group meeting, there was one newcomer. Two other men who had attended earlier sessions were absent and hope was expressed that they had found work.

For Dyer, whose wife is a elementary school counselor in Lebanon, that search continues.

He spoke passionately about how he still has something to contribute and a wealth of experience (including 30 years with IBM) he'd bring with him.

"I'd like to work for a company and represent their product," he said.

For now, he uses his sales skills in that search, carrying a two-inch white binder with "Job Hunt 2009" scrawled on the side.

Inside, it's neatly divided with tabs. One section keeps a detailed record of everyone he's talked to about job possibilities. Others keep track of newspaper ads, web ads and e-mails that he has sent.

He's gone through this process four other times in his life. He knows this economy "is different than it's ever been" but he's not giving up.

"I've done it before. I know how to do it," he said, "but that doesn't make it easier."


FINDING SUPPORT

Support groups are being held at the following locations and times:

• 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Kleptz YMCA, 1200 W. National Road, Englewood, 836-9622, facilitator LeRoy Chambliss.

• 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Coffman Family YMCA, 88 Remick Blvd., Springboro, (937) 886-9622, facilitator Roger Hendricks. (Note - now meets at 9am)

• 10 a.m. Thursdays, Preble County YMCA, 450A Washington Jackson Road, Eaton, (937) 472-2010, facilitator Nancy Amos.

• 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Huber Heights YMCA, 7251 Shull Road, (937) 236-9622, facilitator Tom Hanover.


COPING STRATEGIES AFTER A JOB LOSS

• Take it easy on yourself. Losing a job is traumatic; it's normal to feel a wide range of emotions including helplessness and fear about the future.

• Get help. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you're experiencing panic attacks, anxiety or depression. If you are withdrawing from family members or loved ones or are frequently fighting with them, get help.

• Help your children. Talk with them openly about what happened and answer their questions.

• Develop a routine. Give yourself a reason to get up in the morning. Set a schedule for researching jobs, making phone calls and networking.

• Join a support group. Getting together with other people who understand what you are experiencing, including former co-workers, can be very helpful.