Growing Neighbors Support Group Reaches New Milestones

Neighbors helping Neighbors (NhN), an organization offering free peer volunteer support for people actively seeking employment, has reached several milestones in just its first year of existence - there are 11 meeting locations around Northern New Jeresy and over 20 members have found employment. Their next milestone is to launch a 12th location.

Started in River Edge in , NhN has fostered an environment in which group members assist each other in job search techniques and suggestions based on personal experience plus personal and professional networking. Resources are available at host libraries to assist with computer job searches and other useful resources.

Among the success stories is Steve.

"I had been looking since the beginning of the year, and I had been getting horribly frustrated," said one member, Steve. "I kept getting interviews and I would interview with the hiring manager and pass the technical interview, most of the time with flying colors, and then I would have the human resources interview, and they would take one look at the graying hair and the growing bald spot on the back of my head and they always found a reason to reject me. The group members kept my hopes up. I guess the moral of the story is: don't give up hope, because I was really getting there. I was seriously thinking I was never going to work again. But I still feel I have a lot to contribute to the world."

Each member at a specific location works with the others to craft resume's, perfect interview techniques, suggestions for job searching, support and help with personal and professional networking to make connections and find a position.

“Not feeling alone or powerless are critical factors in a job search, particularly for those who have been out of work for an extended period of time,” explained founder John Fugazzie. “Support, discussion and information sharing can make all the difference. It helps re-build the confidence needed to successfully land a job."

And with more members coming each week to meetings, the group has continued to . This week, NhN launches its 12th library meeting location at Wanaque Library Wednesdays beginning November 9.

Additional Bergen County meetings are held in River Edge, Bergenfield, Westwood, Ridgewood, Lodi, Dumont, Closter, Garfield, Waldwick, Cliffside Park, Cresskill, Mahwah, and Englewood (beginning January). 

Outside of Bergen County are meetings at the Sussex County Library and the Hawthorne Library in Passaic County.

"Regional and national awareness is growing for our program and the NhN Group is supporting the opening of additional programs in libraries both in New Jersey and in other states where there is a need in the local community," Fugazzie said.

Regardless of career discipline or objective, members include workers in transition; recent college graduates; unemployed and underemployed professionals; those re-entering the job market; small business owners, and retirees seeking part-time work.

For more information, visit the group online, on Facebook or on LinkedIn.