Not that I want to scare anybody – there’s no profanity here. However, I’ve been struck by some of the extremes of language I’ve heard used by unemployed people in the last few weeks.
ECWT is built on a foundation of affirmation, and claiming self-worth. Our tag line uses strong language to make a bold claim: We are strong. We are creative. We are an asset to our community.
That’s strong language unemployed people struggle to believe, in light of the fact that an employer has told them they are not needed anymore.
We can tell ourselves all the rational reasons why we can be both strong and creative and let go from a job. But at an emotional level, it’s hard to believe that affirmation in light of the concrete ”evidence” of our unemployment.
It gets worse when we read the news, not the sprinkle of good news about people finding new jobs here and there, but the big news that there are 6 unemployed workers for every currently available job in the United States. That 6-1 ratio is higher than it has ever been since those statistics have been recorded. By comparison, during the 2001 – 2003 recession the highest ratio was 2-1.
A 6-1 ratio of unemployed workers to available jobs means there are no jobs available – anywhere – for 5 out of every 6 people who are currently unemployed. None. No jobs. Nada. Zilch. Zip. That’s strong language, and that’s our reality.
Before the lights went on to record a TV interview with an unemployed person in the ECWT office last week the interviewer said, “Now, I’m going to be asking you what having the new Skills Bank means to you.” Without a pause the unemployed person said, “It keeps me from going crazy, and jumping off a bridge.”
Strong language. Not language that made it into the interview. The public message of ECWT is one of hope and energy. Elkhart County does work together. We have resources to share with each other. We are strong and creative.
However . . . the economic stress we are experiencing is wearing on us all. People are tired of dealing with this stress. People are ashamed and embarrassed to sign up for groceries and financial assistance for the first time in their lives. People struggle to keep the message that they are worthless from taking over their thoughts. People struggle to keep fear from paralyzing them. People struggle to keep the “demons” of depression and despair at bay. People feel like “going crazy” is waiting just around the next bend.
It’s not clear to me what the answer is. Bu I believe the situation we face now is every bit as dire, even desperate, as the situation we faced at the beginning of the year. Thankfully, the rate of layoffs and corporate closings has dropped. More food is available in area food banks because of the generosity of our community, and the community gardens that were planted. But that is largely offset by the ongoing duration of the unemployment, and the fact that many unemployed individuals and their families have largely burned through their personal savings and unemployment benefits.
In 2009, individuals, churches and social service agencies stepped up to the plate in wonderful ways, and forged new ways of collaborating to meet the needs our community faced.
We need to not only do the same – we need to do more in 2010.
That sentence makes me cringe as I write it. More? We’re tired. We’re tapped out.
Yes we are. That’s our reality. We need to acknowledge that.
But we have no option but to continue, and to intensify our efforts. Our community took grievous hits in 2008 , and 2009. We will not be able to meet the needs we face in 2010 unless we find ways to work together in creative ways to do more.
Can Elkhart County work together? Yes we can.
What can you do to help Elkhart County work together?
