Unemployment affects everyone in our community, not just the individual.
Even when unemployment is as low as 4%, the Georgia Department of Labor reports that there are over 4,400 unemployed persons in Coweta and Fayette Counties. If you include other members of these households, you would have enough people to fill Philips Arena!
There is a strong connection between the loss of one job and the impact on the entire community, and on the community of faith. This is the ripple effect of unemployment.
Here's how the ripple effect of unemployment impacts the entire community:
1. Our Finances and Our Futures Unemployment puts tremendous stress on our finances; COBRA may even add to our expenses. We struggle to pay the mortgage, which puts our homes at risk. College tuition is jeopardized. Retirement funds are depleted. Financial pressure adds stress; stress affects performance, health and relationships.
2. Our Self-Esteem and Our Health Job loss is the seventh most difficult life change to deal with, according to Dr. Richard Rahe's well-known Life Change Index. Job loss increases the chances of experiencing a stress-related illness. Almost everyone must deal with depression if his or her job-search campaign lasts more than a few weeks.
3. Our Marriages and Our Families Marriages are stressed to the breaking point; families teeter above the great chasm of divorce. Some marriages fail. Families are forced to move and leave their support systems of family and friends behind. Children and aging parents get lost in the shuffle.
4. Our Churches and Our Ministries Ultimately unemployment affects our relationship with God. Job loss can be a defining moment in our spiritual journey. Some people withdraw and come to church less often (or not at all) because of embarrassment and depression. When unemployed people are not able to keep up with their pledges, then our budgets, ministries and missions suffer.
5. Our Community and Our Nation Unemployment hurts the local and national tax base, property values and local businesses. Each dollar "turns over" seven times before it leaves the community. If the economic impact on a job seeker is $15,000, the economic impact on the community is $105,000.
Job Loss Leaves No One Unchanged With hardship and challenge comes tremendous opportunity. Job loss leaves no one unchanged. For some it's a positive change, for some it's not, for most – the outcome hangs in the balance.
At JobSeekers, we share with God's people who are in need. This message from Paul sums it up: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:10-13)
A Positive Force for Change JobSeekers of Peachtree City is a positive force for change in the life of the job seeker, the church and the community. Our vision is to help our members find good jobs, close to home, in minimum time. We want to do that for more and more people in the South Metro Atlanta community. We have an excellent track record; come see for yourself!
Donations from people like you have helped save marriages, health, homes, college educations, and cross-country relocations. You can also be a positive force for change by donating to the ongoing ministry of JobSeekers.
Come to JobSeekers this week. Bring a friend.
If you're not looking, send a friend who is.
JobSeekers Ministry