The Connection Bridgewater-Somerville Edition June/July/August

www.theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 42 Brian M. Cige Attorney At Law Cigelaw@gmail.com 7 East High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 908.685.3775 WWW. CIGELAW .COM & % $ ## & % $ !$% "! Shop Somerville If you are out of work, underemployed or seeking a career change WE CAN HELP! Providing Support for Life’s Transitions Unemployment Prevention Month is Every Month JFS offers Career Services including: • Individual career counseling and career exploration • Resume critique • Interview coaching • Job search techniques and support • Job Seekers Success Groups • Mental Health Counseling If you are a hiring manager seeking qualified candidates WE CAN HELP! Share your job leads with us and we can distribute them to hundreds of job seekers For more information contact: Elise Prezant, Career Counselor 908-725-7799 x108 • Eprezant@JewishFamilySvc.org Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties 150-A West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 www.JewishFamilySvc.Org Sandy had been a stay at home mom for many years when increasing financial pressures made it apparent that she would need to return to the workforce. Sandy was experiencing a great deal of anxiety regarding managing a work schedule, her family’s financial situa- tion, as well as feeling overwhelmed at the thought of having to begin a job search. Sandy reached out to Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties. After speaking with the Executive Director of JFS, Sandy agreed to begin seeing one of our Licensed Clinical Social Workers. In therapy, Sandy explored navigating life as a working mother, the financial insecurities her family was facing, and the shifting of her dreams of being a full time mother. Sandy was able to develop strategies to cope with her fears, inse- curities and even her anger. Once she was feeling stronger emotionally, Sandy was ready to begin tackling a job search. Sandy, however, was now facing the uncertainty of knowing that she had a 10-year gap in her work history, had not had to conduct a job search in many years, and was not feeling very confi- dent in her ability to find a new job. The therapist referred Sandy to the JFS Career Counselor. In Career Counseling, Sandy was able to identify her “transferable skills,” those skills she acquired managing a household and volunteering, as well as those from her former career as an office manager. She learned how to effectively conduct a job search and was coached on using networking and online resources; all new to her since she last conducted a job search. The Career Counselor also helped Sandy develop a new resume and practiced interviewing with her. Sandy began attending the monthly Job Seekers Suc- cess Groups and was thankful to meet other women experiencing similar struggles. After 6 months of therapy and 4 months of career counseling support, Sandy was able to successfully interview for and land a part time job with flexible hours at a small business not far from her home. Even though she is now gainfully employed, Sandy continues to work with her therapist as she adjusts to her role as a working mother and is beginning to recognize that she has the confidence, strength and support to move forward in this new chapter of her life. JFS is a not for profit, nonsectarian social service agency serving the needs of individuals and families in Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties since 1980. JFS is committed to serving the needs of the entire community and offers a continuum of programs and services. Licensed clinical social work- ers provide individual, couple and fam- ily counseling as well as geriatric assess- ments, supportive counseling and case management services for home bound elderly. The Family Mentor Program recruits, trains and matches volunteers with vulnerable young families or with elderly persons for friendly, supportive, in-home visits; Families with children with special needs are assisted through social groups, parent groups and through the Family Mentor Program. Career Counseling helps individuals in many aspects of their job search. Ohr Tikvah-Light of Hope Jewish Healing Services offers presentations, support groups, and individual spiritual coun- seling to address the health, wellness and healing needs of the community. All information is confidential. Many programs are at no cost, on a sliding fee scale or payable through third party insurance. If you are interested in learn- ing more about JFS’ programs, please contact us at 908-725-7799, email us at Admin@JewishFamilySvc.org, visit our website: www.JewishFamilySvc.org and like us on Facebook. Jewish Family Service of SHW, Inc. 150-A West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. RETURNING TO WORK AFTER YEARS AT HOME By: Elize Prezant, Career Counselor