Newton nThe financial burden of unemployment is just the start for many people.
Stress about money turns into emotional turmoil for the person whose is out of a job as well as the family. One of the first steps is to file for unemployment, something many people dread. However, when they walk into the unemployment office in Newton they fine friendly faces behind the desk and more.
Betty Space, Mary Ellen Birchenough and Andrew Szymanski are three of the friendly faces.
Space was nominated for Senior of the Year by the Office on Aging for her efforts in the community. She is the Workforce 55 Coordinator, helping seniors get back into the work force. She works out of offices in Franklin, Newton and Phillipsburg. The connections she has made lead Senior Citizens to employment with local non-profit organizations. “At least three or four seniors come in each week. I have lots of opportunities for them at places like the YMCA or Office on Aging,” said Space.
Birchenough and Azymanski work in the employment division of the office, helping to place those out of work into new jobs.
The entire office tries to help out in the community by doing food drives for Manna House and toy drives around the holidays. “Hunger is growing in Sussex County,” said Bill Weightman, administrator at the Unemployment/Employment offices. Last year they gathered toys for over 400 kids in Sussex County. “We’re happy to do it, this is a sharing, caring place,” said Birchenough.
That the employees of the office consider it more than a job is illustrated by one particular case. They claim this man’s situation has brought them together more than ever.
After working at the Merriam House for 11 years as the gardener, Manuel Baz was let go. This past April, he walked into the Unemployment office to file for unemployment and to get help in finding a new job. He got more than he bargained for. Birchenough, Szymanski and Space have joined together to help Baz reclaim his life.
Baz is an immigrant from the Philippines. An educated man, he was a teacher in the Philippines. He moved to this country in hope s of making more money to help support his family. His wife and family still live back in the Philippines, and all the money he has made over the years he sends back to them to help them survive. Now, his wife is terminally ill.
Because he was living at the Merriam House, when Baz lost his job, he also lost his home and quickly became one of the county’s growing homeless population. He was sleeping outside of his bank for a time, and now spends some evenings at a local blind man’s apartment. He even has his unemployment checks delivered to the Newton office.
The whole office has been desperately trying to find him employment. “All he wants to do is work,” Szymanski said. In the meantime, Space has been washing his clothes for him over the weekends, Szymanski has been finding donated clothing for him, and Birchenough has been working on job placement. “Once we help him find a job, then social services will help him find housing,” explained Birchenough.
When you think about the homeless in this country you don’t really think about it hitting so close to home, but as Baz’s case illustrates, the homeless are here. The efforts of the employment office by itself are not enough. “We’re hoping to bring attention to cases like Mr. Baz, for employers to come forward,” and to help aid the growing jobless and homeless in Sussex County.
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