Ministry expands scope with resume session for Hispanics
When Bob Podgorski of Hoffman Estates found himself unemployed a few years ago, he scanned the area for career service events to help him jump-start his search.
With few places to turn, Podgorski worked with other parishioners at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Hoffman Estates to start their own job and networking ministry, matching up career specialists with the unemployed.
Apparently, they filled a void. At last count, their team now is affiliated with 23 other churches of all denominations in the Northwest suburbs, and helped nearly 8,000 people through their meetings, resume reviews and seminars.
"Our mission from the start was to serve the community at large, to help expand their job search," Podgorski says. "The response has absolutely outstanding."
As an outgrowth of their mission, the group now will hold its first "Hispanic Resume Review," taking place from 9-11:30 a.m. on March 8 at St. Isidore Church, 427 Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale.
Admission is free, and the event is open to people in all occupations.
On hand will be six bilingual human resources officials and career counselors, who will meet with prospective employees to give them their thoughts and suggestions for improvement.
"We've had this as a goal for quite a while, but we haven't been able to assemble people who are bilingual -- and have expertise at putting together a good resume," says Podgorski, who now works as extension services manager for Harper College.
"That's been our stumbling block," he adds, "because we know many of these folks won't have a comfort level unless they can do this with someone who speaks their language."
Jerry Campagna of Bartlett, a marketing consultant for Latino affairs in the Northwest suburbs, commends their efforts, adding that he knows of no other one like it in the suburban area.
"I haven't seen this very often," Campagna says.
Instead, he points to a similar program, HACE, or Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, which is based in Chicago, and targets more of the college and professional community.
The single most important component of St. Hubert's efforts, beyond bringing in translators, he says, is holding it at a church where there is a large Hispanic population.
"If you're trying to connect with the Latino community, you have to go to them," Campagna says. "I don't think it's that Latinos don't want to take advantage of something like this, but it's about making it accessible to them."
If you go
What: Hispanic Resume Review
When: 9-11:30 a.m. March 8
Where: St. Isidore Church, 427 Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale
Cost: Free admission
On hand: 6 bilingual human resources officials and career counselors
More information: www.sainthubert.org or finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/St_Hubert_Job_Ministry