Rutgers Law Throws Weight Behind Job Seekers Group

Along with receiving support from New Jersey and over 90 success stories to their credit, the River Edge-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors job seeker's group now has the full weight of Rutgers School of Law behind them. The state school will provide pro bono work to set NHN up as a non-profit organization.

"This will propel us to the next level," NHN creator John Fugazzie said. "Once we are set up, any donations received can be tax deductible. I have a plan, we just need to figure out what the funds could be best used for."

The all-volunteer group, which spans across 18 libraries in northern New Jersey, would be able to collect donations to further its efforts in helping residents locate and acquire employment.

To date, there have been 91 success stories of members returning to the work force with 13 success stories coming in the week prior to the Easter holiday.

Among the most recent success stories is long-time member and group facilitator Roddy Negron of Woodcliff Lake.

"As I began my job search campaign, it became abundantly clear that networking would play an important role in my success," Negron said. He recently accepted an offer for an eight month contract to hire position with Dai Nippon Printing. "Networking is a key activity that I thoroughly enjoyed when I joined Neighbors Helping Neighbors. It was not only fun, but critical to my personal growth and professional development. John and his team of moderators provided invaluable coaching and advices that Iw ill continue to utilize in my new role. It was great to have a network of friends and associates to draw energy from."

Wayne resident Mike Figler had been attending both the Cedar Grove and Hawthorne meetings after being let go from his teaching position. Earlier this month, he received the news from his former school district that his position was being reinstated and was rehired to start in September.

"The revised curricula I presented to him and new budget and contract changes made this possible," Figler said. "The NhN groups allowed me to maintain the positive attitude that created this situation."

Robert O'Rourke joined NHN in January and four months later after attending the weekly Mahwah group was offered the position of General Manager of a golf course in Jefferson Township. Pennsylvania residents John O'Brien and Dan Giacoletto utilized the online networking aspects of NHN and both were offered positions late last week.

NHN began on Jan. 27, 2011 in River Edge and for six months held weekly meetings at the before expanding out to neighboring towns. The group has continued to skyrocket from month to month, adding on extra meeting locations across the state and slowly looking to expand into neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Connecticut. 

"Group members have found jobs or consulting opportunities as a result of attending meetings," Fugazzie said. "They each benefited in some way from the helpful suggestions, networking and support they have received.  Our group is extremely proud of the work it has done and the large number of success stories of members getting jobs. There have been several more and will be more each week but the common theme to all of the success stories is the members unselfish willingness to support and encourage each other at weekly meetings, this positive approach for all is inspiring to anyone who becomes involved with this group of people and who take courageous steps to find their well deserved jobs."

NHN will soon be expanding to Cranford on April 25 and Hasbrouck Heights on April 30. For more information visit the Neighbors Helping Neighbors website, Facebook, LinkedIN or Twitter pages.