by Patrick Cronin

In mid-2002, Lumen Christi parish announced the creation of an employment assistance program to support parishioners looking for full-time positions in the wake of the 2001-02 recession. Since then, the Lumen Christi Employment Network has evolved into one of the most successful church-based employment assistance initiatives in the archdiocese. In the true spirit of Christian outreach and leadership, the Employment Network has welcomed job seekers from across the Milwaukee metropolitan area, from a variety of employment backgrounds, and from across faiths. This has been a purely volunteer effort, strengthened by the support of parishioners, HR professionals, career counselors, psychologists, lawyers, plus business professionals who have donated their time, expertise and guidance. As of early June 2009, the Lumen Christi Employment Network has helped 200 candidates to find full-time positions, as well as several dozen more in temporary or part-time positions. In addition, our Employment Network has been the model for seven other parishes across the Milwaukee area as they have created their own local programs to support job seekers.

As our program has evolved, thru weekly meetings, informal gatherings and special networking events, we have noticed that a majority of those participating in the Employment Network have been white men, mostly professional / managerial, and over 45 years old. We have also recognized that older men from professional / managerial backgrounds typically have a difficult time adjusting from positions of authority and responsibility to not being in control of their employment situation, in many cases for the first time in their careers.  These older men, women and job seekers from all demographic groups very often have a very tough time saying “I need help. I could use guidance. I can’t always face this alone.” The Employment Network team has focused all of our efforts on creating at least one safe environment, during our Wednesday morning meetings, for these job seekers to ask for this guidance and helpful advice. Interestingly, none of the program moderators have experience or formal training in career guidance or employment outplacement. However, we have been reminded that “God doesn’t choose those who are equipped. Rather, He equips those whom He chooses.”

The power of our program comes from those who respond to these needs, and those who do respond represent the spiritual walls of this safe environment. Most often, these are the other employment candidates themselves, reaching out and helping others, by encouraging and making connections for other candidates. And those who respond are also former job seekers who are now Employment Network alumni, an active group who reach back to help those who occupy the same chairs they once did on Wednesday mornings. This is more important now than ever. For many years we hosted 15-18 job seekers at our weekly meetings. Since November 2008, we are now averaging between 60-65 candidates per week.

The Lumen Christi Employment Network owes its success to the volunteers who have kept our efforts focused on providing the encouragement, resources and career connections that help our candidates find new employment. The backbone of the program has consisted of co-moderators Bill Tennie and Peter Wick, plus Frank Palmisano, Jeff Jorgenson, Carol Roche, Craig Gagnon, Ellie Mixter-Keller, Marty Barnes and many others. On behalf of the Employment Network and its members, we would also like to thank Fr. Peter Berger, the Parish Council and the Human Concerns Committee for their continued support.

Parishioners Helping Parishioners