For Immediate Release

by Joe Carbone

This great recession has affected millions in this country but for those 50 and older, the impact has been greater and the long-term effects may be more daunting. Former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan once said that “what the people want is very simple – they want an America as good as its promise.” In light of our current economic times, how can America fulfill on its promise to those we deem “older Americans?”

The havoc and destructiveness of the recession has affected all demographic groups, however older Americans, those 50 and older, have had the greatest price to pay. This group has experienced unprecedented economic loss, high unemployment and the longest duration of collecting unemployment since the Great Depression. These workers, these neighbors, these friends that we all know, may be the unintended victims of these times, the collateral damage of this recession.

You might ask, “who are these folks who have been out of work for 99 weeks?” They come from all walks of life, and have varying educational backgrounds. They are our teachers, mechanics, engineers, financial analysts, and factory workers. They are us, it could have been us, and it still can. We as a community must be their shepherd in understanding their setbacks and make deliberate and concerted efforts to get them back to work.

The highest unemployment rate on record for people 55 and older was 7.2 percent and was reached in December 2009. This is over 14 percent higher than any other recessionary period since World War II (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This recession has also brought the longest duration of joblessness on record for those 55 and older. The average duration of unemployment for this population at the start of the recession in December 2007, was 20.2 weeks. In July 2010 this number more than doubled to 40.6 weeks. (AARP). Typically Unemployment Insurance is only for 26 weeks but has been extended for up to 99 weeks for the large number of individuals who have been unable to secure employment.

According to the CT Department of Labor, nearly 20,000 Connecticut workers have exhausted 99 weeks of benefits— 48.6% are 50 years of age and older. Few Americans know what it is like to be unemployed for almost two years. The long-term unemployed often feel disconnected from their career. Businesses continue to adjust to new economic challenges by becoming leaner in an effort to remain competitive. The result is workers watch their skills become less relevant. Many choose to isolate themselves which frequently leads to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Their future looks more daunting.

What is emerging from this recession is a once-vibrant class whose savings and assets have been eroded, and who cannot find work. One of the painful realities of the recession is that with so many unemployed and vying for so few jobs, employers have their pick of candidates. Employers must be fair and not get distracted by an individual’s age. They must look at their skill, and what they can be if trained properly.

We as a community must build awareness and sound a rally call to find solutions to help our brethren. The US workforce system is at its capacity with the nearly 15 million unemployed in America. At some point, employers as well as state and federal departments of labor must do what is necessary to welcome older workers back into this new economy.

Things will get better. The WorkPlace, Inc. sees this as part of our responsibility. We will seek the best advice and counsel from our community and create a Blue Ribbon-level committee of citizens to best serve this emerging class. We will undertake a thoughtful comprehensive plan to reform our One Stop system to accommodate the needs of this group. I expect to lay out a plan at our upcoming board of directors meeting later this month.

We need to empower this group to restore their careers and maintain their dignity. We will do it and they will rise again.

Joseph M. Carbone is President and Chief Executive Officer of The WorkPlace, Inc., an innovative workforce development board which helps people prepare for careers and develops the workforce for employers in Southwestern Connecticut. The WorkPlace, Inc. serves more than 32,000 people and 400 businesses a year in a 20-town region bridging Fairfield and New Haven counties. It also has projects that cover the entire state of Connecticut, several states across the nation, and in Latin America.

Media Inquiries:
Goliath-SilverCensus, Inc
Jennifer Porter
203-989-0855

JobsOver50 to Present at the California Workforce Association Conference. September 7 - 10, 2010

Meeting of the Minds in Monterey - A Workforce Policy and Leadership Conference.

JobsOver50 offers Mature Worker Employment Portals branded & customized for California WIBS and civic organizations. These portals are simple, yet powerful, and include all the features necessary to connect employers with mature workers. Timing is important not only because of the volume of candidates out-of-work but also because there are several grants, such as SCSEP, available for programs such as these. Learn more about grants at http://www.grants.gov/ and http://www.doleta.gov/seniors/. Visit the JobsOver50 demo at www.jobsover50.com/wibportal.

David Mezzapelle, Director of Marketing & Development, will be on location to present the benefits of offering dedicated employment portals to the 50+ sector throughout California.

THIS YEAR’S THEME

In 1900, renowned mathematician David Hilbert laid down a challenge to future generations to come up with 23 handpicked mathematical problems, all difficult, all important, and all unsolved.

Using David Hilbert’s challenge as a model, this year’s Meeting of Minds in Monterey (MMM) will focus on the big questions for workforce development. We hope to prioritize an analogous set of the world’s hardest unsolved problems to create a truly competitive, skilled and educated workforce that can contribute to global, sustainable economic growth. Join us in Monterey and help identify the big questions we should be addressing.

SAMPLE BIG QUESTIONS

What’s the strategic role of the workforce system? What are the right metrics that would drive the best possible program designs? Where does the workforce system “fit” in the economy? What do you think the big questions are? Let me suggest you actually discuss this with your colleagues around the office.

DATE & LOCATION

The Conference will begin with preconference sessions on Tuesday, September 7th at 10:00 am. Host Hotel: Monterey Marriott 350 Calle Principal Monterey, CA 93940

About GoliathJobs & JobsOver50:
GoliathJobs.com is a free web-based employment service for students & alumni. We connect job seekers to employers via schools, alma maters and civic organizations throughout North America. This model delivers a competitive edge to job seekers and high-quality results to employers. 100% spam-free. The #1 Job Site on the Web!

JobsOver50.com is a dedicated employment portal for baby boomers & retirees built on the same platform.

This is a great article that discusses a Summer Youth Employment Program similar to our AP Internship concept. (AP Internships are similar to college internships but for high school students). This article is an example of how these rewarding, empowering programs can benefit youths in several ways.

Have a great weekend!

Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010
By Patricia Villers, Register Staff
pvillers@newhavenregister.com

ANSONIA — Eight Valley teens have been acting as role models while working with children at a day camp at the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse.

They are among 50 who are employed in Teens Work, a summer program sponsored by Training, Education and Manpower Inc. of Derby. The six-week program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Meshaya McClung, 17, of Ansonia, said “working with (the children) definitely keeps you upbeat.” She and Shelly Dutan, 16, also of Ansonia, are two of the teens who have been working with a group of girls who are ages 8-12.

The group has been involved in activities ranging from computer games to dancing and script writing. Last week the girls performed an original play for the whole club.

“I let them pick a topic,” McClung said. “We helped them write a script, and we directed them. They had to get costumes and learn their lines.”

McClung plans to major in musical theater at the University of Bridgeport.

The play, called “Which Way?” deals with a girl who was new to her school and had to decide with whom to be friends.

McClung said, “The idea is to not get involved in cliques at a new school.” She said she brought in theater games to play with the girls to teach acting skills.

Dutan added, “We teach them, and they teach us.”

In the gym a group of boys was involved in a baseball game. Ansonia resident and teen employee Patrick England, 14, was the pitcher. He said he has enjoyed the job program, which ends Friday.

He hopes he is chosen to work again next summer, he said. Employees are chosen by lottery. More than 100 teens had applied this summer.

Staff member Adam Manning of Derby said England works well with the younger boys. ”He relates to the kids,” Manning said. “Our numbers keep going up. We have more here than last summer. If we didn’t have the extra help (with the summer employees) we’d be outnumbered.”

Later on, the girls took part in a dance class and Zumba aerobic exercise.

Katya Kazachknova, 9, of Ansonia said during a break in the high-energy dance class that she was having fun. She said she played “the lead popular girl” in the play. “It was a lot of learning (lines),” she said. “I wrote some of it.”

Shelton resident Jada Middle, 11, said the Zumba fitness class was fun. “It gets your energy pumped up. It’s healthy and it doesn’t seem like you’re exercising.”

Shannon Beach, Teens Work coordinator, said youths had been working at Seymour Public Library, Seymour Town Hall, Derby Neck Library and Shelton’s Huntington Branch Library, among other sites.

TEAM President and CEO Richard Knoll said, “A summer job is an opportunity for a young person to try something new, to learn about their interests, to be a positive member of their community, and to earn some money at the same time.

“The program opens the door for the teen participants to learn what work is all about, to learn lessons of what employers will want and to learn what types of skills they will need to achieve success.”

About GoliathJobs & JobsOver50:
GoliathJobs.com is a free web-based employment service for students & alumni. We connect job seekers to employers via schools, alma maters and civic organizations throughout North America. This model delivers a competitive edge to job seekers and high-quality results to employers. 100% spam-free. The #1 Job Site on the Web!

JobsOver50.com is a dedicated employment portal for baby boomers & retirees built on the same platform.

…a Goliath-SilverCensus Company

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (a lot)? Adult children and grandchildren! And Grandparents are paying the tab according to Grand Magazine!

The ‘mother-in-law’ cottage may now be home to the grandkids as young parents move in with their parents in unprecedented numbers (the Boomerang Generation). This only works because grandparents have more money.

The dramatic rise in multigenerational households has accelerated since this 2008 Pew Research Center Report.

Grandparents spend freely on their families. 78% have decided to share their wealth during their lifetime vs leaving a chunk when they die, according to a 2009 grandparent survey conducted by MetLife. 63% had given financial gifts to their grandchildren in the last five years. They gave an average of $8,661. The most common reason for giving: general financial support.

About GoliathJobs & JobsOver50:
GoliathJobs.com is a free web-based employment service for students & alumni. We connect job seekers to employers via schools, alma maters and civic organizations throughout North America. This model delivers a competitive edge to job seekers and high-quality results to employers. 100% spam-free. The #1 Job Site on the Web!

JobsOver50.com is a dedicated employment portal for baby boomers & retirees built on the same platform.

…a Goliath-SilverCensus Company

Four Emergency Medical Scenarios that Justify the Need for a New Medical ID Card

Life is Too Short to Leave to Chance! Time is critical in a medical emergency. Imagine you are unconscious or overcome by severe symptoms. Who will be there to inform first responders about your medical history, yet keep your personal medical history private?

Well, doctors from one of the world’s most renowned hospitals have figured it out and created a revolutionary medical ID card called “miCARD.”

miCard, invented by a team of ER Doctors, is becoming the national standard for medical information cards. miCARD meets federal guidelines for health record standardization and serves as a true solution for emergency personnel, hospitals, doctors, etc.

miCARD gives medical providers a concise summary of your vital medical information. Now, medical personnel will know your unique medical conditions, current medications, allergies and more if a medical emergency arises or even if you are visiting a new doctor or specialist.
To give us a better understanding, the doctors at miCARD have prepared four very real scenarios we can all relate to;

Scenario #1:
50 year old man presents to emergency department with chest pain. He is sweaty, nauseated, and short of breath. An EKG is obtained. The heart rhythm is a Left Bundle Branch Block.

Without miCARD: If no old records are present, we have to assume in the absence of any heart history that the Left bundle branch block is new. If this is the case the patient goes immediately to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angiogram. This procedure is not without risks and if unnecessary, the patient was exposed to unnecessary risk.

With miCARD: The card indicates LBBB and the patient has stored an old EKG online to confirm this. This patient will not be rushed to the cardiac catheterization lab for an immediate angiogram giving doctors more time to make an informed decision. (Eliminated unnecessary emergent testing and its associated cost and risk)

Scenario #2:
80year old lady arrives in emergency department via ambulance with altered mental status and no medical information in her purse. She is displaying difficulty breathing and looks moribund.

Without miCARD: With no records available and limited information, ER staff will provide a full resuscitation which could include invasive iv lines and intubation.

With miCARD: Patients medical conditions include stroke and cancer. Her medical power of attorney indicates she has a “do not resuscitate” directive confirmed by documents stored online with micard. The patient’s wishes can be honored. (Care directives recognized and honored)

Scenario #3:
81 year old man arrives in emergency department with difficulty speaking and left side paralysis of 4 hours duration.

Without miCARD: Emergency physician confers with Neurologist and consideration is given to thrombolytic medication to treat stroke. This clot busting medication has a 5% risk of causing bleeding in the brain and a 50% mortality if bleeding occurs in the brain after giving this medication.

With miCARD: Physicians determine quickly that patient would be ineligible and at risk for thrombolytic therapy based on: age>80, current use of Coumadin (an anticoagulant), prior stroke, and presence of diabetes. All of these factors are contraindications to a therapy which already carries significant risk. (reduced risk of medical error)

Scenario #4:
25 year old female with severe right lower abdominal pain and vomiting. She is very symptomatic and doesn’t feel like answering questions. She fails to mention she is allergic to IV contrast dye. A CT scan is ordered with IV contrast (routine)

Without miCARD: Patient failed to mention allergy because she was preoccupied by severe symptoms so her medical history is limited by her ability or willingness to participate. Patient receives IV contrast and has severe allergic reaction (preventable situation)

With miCARD: Patient doesn’t feel like answering background questions and hands nurse her miCARD. The card indicates IV contrast allergy. CT scan is ordered without contrast.

You can read more about the miCARD program by visiting www.micard.com/silvercensus.

About SilverCensus:
SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge. Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home healthcare agencies, HUD developments & independent living communities. We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses. Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or www.silvercensus.com.

…a Goliath-SilverCensus Company

So what does “reinventing yourself” mean in terms of careers?  For some it is simply following your dreams to switch gears and taking up a new business endeavor or career path such as turning a passion into a business or job. For others it is letting go of their past experience and learning something new.  Ideally this is because you want, but not require, a change.  However, today this can be a means of survival.  Maybe your occupation is phasing out and you can’t make ends meet.  Or maybe you are out-of-work and no one is hiring people with your experience.  

Reinventing yourself, whether it is voluntary or necessary, can be a great thing. It allows a person to take up something new as it relates to their career and jump in with both feet.  Enthusiasm will come naturally because change from the mundane naturally inspires people to persevere.  They see a goal in the horizon that they maybe didn’t see in their previous occupation.  For many, working years at the same job can blur the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.   For others out of work, the job hunt can wear them down and their enthusiasm can wane. 

Shifting gears and reinventing yourself towards a dream industry or occupation can easily recharge a person.  All it takes is studying the industry, researching training programs (if necessary), getting started and not looking back.  If your dream is something unique, you shouldn’t think that ‘unique’ is bad. “Uniqueness” is what creates leaders versus followers.  “Uniqueness” is what a candidate can offer to a potential employer that yields value over & above another candidate applying for the same job.

Food for thought (-:

About GoliathJobs & JobsOver50:
GoliathJobs.com is a free web-based employment service for students & alumni. We connect job seekers to employers via schools, alma maters and civic organizations throughout North America. This model delivers a competitive edge to job seekers and high-quality results to employers. 100% spam-free. The #1 Job Site on the Web!

JobsOver50.com is a dedicated employment portal for baby boomers & retirees built on the same platform.

Contact:

David Mezzapelle
Goliath-SilverCensus, Inc
dmezz@silvercensus.com

miCARD SELECTS SILVERCENSUS TO SERVE AS GLOBAL MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION PARTNER

JUPITER, FL., June 1, 2010 — SilverCensus Inc., in partnership with a team of ER Doctors at one of the world’s most renowned hospitals, has launched miCARD - the first universally accepted Medical ID card & website. miCARD meets federal guidelines for health record standardization and serves as a true solution for emergency personnel, hospitals, doctors, etc. SilverCensus was selected to serve as miCARD’s global marketing & distribution partner due to its presence in the healthcare and senior community.

“Time and information are critical in a medical emergency. Imagine you are unconscious or overcome by severe symptoms. miCARD gives medical personnel immediate access to your vital medical information so they can make informed, timely decisions about your care,” says Dr. James Kelley MD, Co-Founder of miCARD. “Our wallet card contains a succinct summary of your vital medical and contact information on a durable wallet card. It’s designed to be noticed by emergency personnel and we suggest placing it in front of your driver’s license in your wallet for best visibility,” adds Dr. Kelley.

Dr. Andrew Fagelman, MD, a General Practitioner that runs a large practice in New York City’s SOHO district, calls it a “A cutting edge, must-have digital solution that empowers physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver the best possible medical care to new and existing patients by allowing them to have all critical medical history at their fingertips.”

miCARD is the only physician-designed medical identification solution that combines a portable wallet card with an online Personal Health Record. Now first responders will know your unique medical conditions, current medications, allergies and more. Plus, you can store EKGs, lab results and advanced directives, create medication lists and allow caregiver access. Here are some key points:

 Emergency personnel are trained to look in your wallet or purse. miCARD gives first responders immediate access to your critical medical information.
 miCARD also offers a simple web-based solution for medical personnel when additional details are needed. No proprietary reading device is necessary.
 miCARD is a simple non-bureaucratic platform to access medical information, regardless of hospital, doctor or physical location.
 PHRs (i.e. PassportMD, Healthvault) do not satisfy emergency needs. These are only massive repositories of all medical information - bulky, cumbersome and serve little value to emergency personnel.
 miCARD stores your medical information in one secure location.
 miCARD Provides 24/7 access to your online Personal Health Record with optional access for your primary doctors and/or caregivers - keeping your information up-to-date.
 miCARD Reduces the risk of medical error and speeds emergency treatment times.
 Takes less than 10 minutes to activate.

“miCARD is also a powerful fund-raising tool with branding benefits and recurring revenue for any organization and saves lives in the process,” says David Mezzapelle, Director of Marketing & Development at SilverCensus. A percentage of each sale (and each annual renewal) can go to a for-profit or non-profit entity and the cards can be branded accordingly. “We have insurance companies, home care agencies, senior living facilities, schools, charities, retail outlets, hospitals, clubs, teams, etc. joining the program. Some are even using this as a membership card and medical ID card in one,” adds Mezzapelle.

Affiliate Partner and fund-raising programs available (non-profit & for-profit). Learn more by contacting David Mezzapelle at dmezz@silvercensus.com

Please visit our ebrochure by clicking here.

‘Karma’ is an amazing thing. For the devout Hindu & Buddhist, it means that your actions directly affect your fate. For the lay person, it is a term commonly used to describe that good things happen to good people. In either scenario we often refer to “Paying it Forward” as a term to describe the same thing - that helping others creates a positive force that comes back to you in different ways.

In terms of careers, people tend to get so wrapped up in the job search process that they lose site of other aspects of their life. By “paying it forward” we recommend that people apply an altruistic dimension to their current state of flux. We often hear from clients that blending altruism & philanthropy with their ongoing routine dramatically improves their network - ultimately securing a job. In addition, building friendships with people that share the same philanthropic interests is great for personal development and lifestyle balance.

Food for thought (-:

About GoliathJobs & JobsOver50:
GoliathJobs.com is a free web-based employment service for students & alumni. We connect job seekers to employers via schools, alma maters and civic organizations throughout North America. This model delivers a competitive edge to job seekers and high-quality results to employers. 100% spam-free. The #1 Job Site on the Web!

JobsOver50.com is a dedicated employment portal for baby boomers & retirees built on the same platform.

This is an interesting article from CNN Money that appeared last week.

Out-of-work job applicants told unemployed need not apply

The last thing someone who is unemployed needs to be told is that they shouldn’t even apply for the limited number of job openings that are available. But some companies and recruiters are doing just that.

Employment experts say they believe companies are increasingly interested only in applicants who already have a job.

“I think it is more prevalent than it used to be,” said Rich Thompson, vice president of learning and performance for Adecco Group North America, the world’s largest staffing firm. “I don’t have hard numbers, but three out of the last four conversations I’ve had about openings, this requirement was brought up.”

Some job postings include restrictions such as “unemployed candidates will not be considered” or “must be currently employed.” Those explicit limitations have occasionally been removed from listings when an employer or recruiter is questioned by the media though.

That’s what happened with numerous listings for grocery store managers throughout the Southeast posted by a South Carolina recruiter, Latro Consulting.

After CNNMoney called seeking comments on the listings last week, the restriction against unemployed candidates being considered came down. Latro Consulting refused to comment when contacted.

Sony Ericsson, a global phone manufacturer that was hiring for a new Georgia facility, also removed a similar restriction after local reporters wrote about it. According to reports, a Sony Ericsson spokesperson said that a mistake had been made.

But even if companies don’t spell out in a job listing that they won’t consider someone who currently doesn’t have a job, experts said that unemployed applicants are typically ruled out right off the bat.

Read the entire article by clicking here

GoliathJobs & JobsOver50 were featured in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday June 16, 2010. Article titled “Making the Leap to the Big Leaques.”

Making the Leap to the Big Leagues

As Hiring Picks Up, Employees at Small Companies Look for Work at Large Firms

By JONNELLE MARTE

As big firms cut back during the recession, many professionals found work at small companies. For college grads, small firms became the most promising way to launch a career.

But as hiring picks up again, some of those professionals are looking to break into larger companies, seeking the stability, benefits and resources not always available at small firms.

And while recruiters and hiring managers perusing the résumés of job hunters with small-company experience won’t experience the sort of instant name recognition they might with résumés of candidates from big companies, experts say the multitasking skills and self-starter attitude common among small- firm employees can make a job seeker attractive.

“Hiring managers are looking for people with experience from smaller companies … because those candidates tend to think out of the box,” says David Mezzapelle, director of marketing and development for GoliathJobs Inc. a Web-based employment firm in Stamford, Conn.

On job sites GoliathJobs.com and JobsOver50.com, some 5,000 job seekers with profiles indicating they worked at small firms—those with fewer than 500 employees—used the sites to apply for jobs with larger companies in the first quarter.

Luicila Torres left her job as a marketing representative with a national home health agency in October to work at a similar, but smaller agency in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. She made the move so she could take charge of a broader territory and get exposure to other parts of the business. She later worked briefly for a small durable medical-equipment company, but was laid off after two months because the company was struggling financially. Now Ms. Torres says she wants to work for a larger, more stable employer.

On her résumé and in interviews, Ms. Torres, 36, is touting the skills she picked up while wearing several hats at the smaller companies. Among them: She learned to market many brands in a larger territory and was involved in sales, billing and business development. “It did help me learn other aspects of the business,” she says, and although she hasn’t received an offer yet, she says interviewers appear impressed by the diversity in responsibilities.

Career coaches regularly encourage job seekers hoping to break into a larger company to market their small-firm experience by emphasizing the various roles they took on.

Read the entire article by clicking here.

Copyright ©2010 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.