There are more than 100 one-stop career centers in California designed to help the unemployed find jobs. Individuals looking for work have access to computers, career councilors, even money for transportation, all free of charge.
Leonel Fuentes, director of the BUILD Work Source Center says in the past few months he’s seen twice as many people come in seeking assistance. The problem, there aren’t enough jobs to go around. In this “Web Original” video, we profile two unemployed people having a difficult time looking for work.
RELATED RESOURCES:
Employment Development Department: Information for Those Hit Hard in the Economic Slowdown
California One-Stop Career Centers (pdf)
Employment Development Department: EDD Workforce Services Offices by City
RELATED STORIES:
Financial Futures - By Val Zavala - SoCal Connected looks at how Southern California is weathering the economic storm, with profiles of three different groups of people.
CREDITS:
Produced by: Juan Devis, Matthew Williams, Shereen Meraji; Edited by: Matthew Williams
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This was very informative. It gave a lot of information without getting into political.
This is really powerful stuff--especially the ending!
This did a good job of showing how bad things are on a micro level, without being sappy or alarmist. Bob Thomas was especially compelling. Scary stuff.
Powerful vid. You captured the bleakness of looking for work at a time like this. I don't envy them.
On technical note, I loved the way you presented the information about the person with the blurred background and freeze-frame. Hadn't seen that before. And that was a great shot of Leonel Fuentes talking in the middle of the room. I'm going to start a collection to buy that man a desk!
I can really feel th epain in this too. I've been in the same position. I have a MA and am working a temp job for $16 an hour and still abrely making it. This shit needs to be fixed asap.
Good job on this. I want more!
I agree about the ending ... sort of puts into perspective the huge numbers of people getting laid off these days.
Sad to say it looks like it'll only get worse too
Strong reporting...great presentation and smart use of the medium. We need to see this and more of it.
A difficult video to watch - I think we all fear finding ourselves in the same place. But good to know these "one stop" centers exist.
Awesome production. I like the guy in the red shirt. Sad, so much unemployment.
That guy at the end was heart-breaking. Nice job!
Reminded me of every day here in latin america. In some ways i feel for the people shown in the story. In another, i look at the people around me here in Argentina who have the same problem. Most never had the resources or chances at an education that the people in this story had.
A powerful video that brings to light an oft ignored space in the world of work. Skillful use of the medium, strong characters. The above still of Mr. Fuentes perfectly captures the utter vulnerability of not only those who are looking for work, but those who are gainfully employed.
Saddening to watch, but very informative.
this is really good stuff. definitely addresses an issue that a lot of people are facing right now. and it does so in a compelling manner. good work guys!
I wonder how career centers like this one in Chatsworth stay in business. I don't really know how such centers get their operating budgets, but the guy whose unemployment benefits have run out made me wonder. (Is it grant money, corporate sponsorships, charitable donations from people in the community who might themselves be strapped but they want to help out their neighbors?)
I'm also worried about folks in states where the unemployment-benefits portion of state budgets are running out. Will these career centers be able to help them?
I live in Poland,in my region many people just don't want to go to work, other people are looking for better paid jobs ( thereby getting nothing) and the really despred one who are taking what ever it takes. But the third ones if they'r working really good are getting higher and higher salary.
Strong story telling. The piece really captured the state of the economy seen through those you wouldn't expect having trouble finding work. Tough times indeed.....
The stories and characters stay with you. "It is THAT bad." Very well produced, too. I too enjoyed the desk-less shot of Mr. Fuentes, which really captured the feel of the room... well worth watching - thanks
Good thing that some of our most talented reporters are putting their skills to good use at a time like this-- telling such important stories (and in such an engaging way), while we're getting mind-numbing talking heads from many other quarters.
great piece. gives a pitch perfect sense of the desperate and drawn out process of looking for work in a region with a shrinking pool of work to give.
very interesting and well put together
Nicely sculpted - tape, music and video -- to get across the rising panic and desperation that people feel. No need for academics and experts to tell us what's happening when no one can tell it better than those pounding the pavement.
Keep up the good work.
totally intense. so depressing. everyone needs to get out and vote--for obama! hopefully he'll find a way to dig this country out.
Wow -- I'm very glad I have a job. The white guy talking at the end made me almost want to cry. He's trying SO hard -- and I can only imagine the jerkos on the other end who might be put off by his desperation. I would hire him ... if I could but I can't.
This really hit home. It's easy to feel the way the guy at the end felt, just to be thankful you still have a job! I feel grateful for that myself. But it could be any of us tomorrow and this video really reminded me of that.
Also, these centers focus on getting people into new jobs, but if there aren't enough jobs to go around, then social programs become really important as a safety net for people. Yet these are getting weaker and weaker too, with less money and political commitment. It makes me think we really have to come together and make sure people don't fall through the cracks, more than ever.
Are we becoming third world? I fear the truth about the global economy is far worse than we know....The death of bling!
We are in scary times. Thanks for putting this info out there... so important!
Wow. How can anyone help someone get a job when there aren't any out there?
Haunting.
Very well done, Shereen. It's so important that the stories of everyday people do not go unheard. Thank you for this.
I really feel for those guys. Good job getting the word out.
This was incredibly sad but well done.