Illinois’ unemployment rate hit 10.1 percent in May, the highest in 20 years. And to combat this, the Woodridge Community Pantry is offering a program to prepare people for the job search.

The pantry’s A Job for Me program will begin its fourth session in July. Information to be provided includes creating resumes, preparing for interviews and dressing for success.

“The numbers of people we are seeing at the pantry are up 60 percent,” said Barbara Schmith, executive director of the pantry. “This was a way we thought we could give people some confidence and self-esteem, and get back into the job market.”

There will be six sessions of the class where participants will learn different skills to help them enter or re-enter the work force. In the final session, participants will be interviewed by a job placement agency to get them on the path toward finding a job.

Lisa Barnes, a former Woodridge resident, participated in the class last July because she wanted to find a new job.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Barnes said. “I was looking for something closer to home, and I wanted to brush up on my job skills.”

She said the program is good for networking, and learning new skills can help anyone.

An older man in the class with Barnes had limited computer skills, and through the program he was able to expand his computer skills and become more marketable, Barnes said.

The curriculum for A Job for Me was created by the University of Illinois Extensions. Katherine Reuter, a consumer and family economic educator and University of Illinois professor, will teach the class.
“I think it’s a wonderful experience working with individuals to help them find jobs,” Reuter said.

She has taught past sessions of the program and said offering such a program is so appropriate right now with the economy.

“It’s very rewarding to see individuals learn and grow and apply themselves,” Reuter said. “Some are looking for jobs; some have already found jobs.”

Typically a class size is anywhere between seven and 15 people of different ages, from young people entering the work force for the first time to older people looking for skills to re-enter, Reuter said.

The six sessions of the program will span three weeks, and the pantry will provide lunch and child care.

“It’s a wonderful program,” Barnes said. “People shouldn’t go into it thinking it will find you a job, but it will help you prepare for the job.”