Different kind of club helps those without jobs

JEFFERSON COUNTY - Forget MySpace or Facebook, a new kind of social network is gaining popularity as the unemployment rate continues to rise.

They're called job clubs, and many in the Denver area have doubled in size over the past few months alone.

On a Wednesday night at the Colorado Mills Mall, you'll find more than 20 people gathered in a community room, connecting and coping.

The gatherings provide a networking opportunity, and a way for these Baby Boomers to simply get out of the house and do something.

"This kind of group helps tremendously in getting one motivated," Jay Reed said.

Reed is looking for a teaching job, but he says sharing the same dilemma with others his age has helped boost his self esteem.

"There are two graphic artists here. There's an airline pilot, an electrician, what a company this group of people would make," Reed said laughing.

While some job clubs are geared toward a certain age group, many are open to anyone looking for work.

Along with socializing, the job hunters learn from a career counselor with tips on focusing their skills toward a certain position, and staying persistent in a search.

"This group has been really good for me. It's helped me to really understand who I am and what I can contribute," club member Dr. Nancy Ford said.

Some people in the groups have been able to report on their progress each week, like finding a position, developing leads or landing an interview.

Any news is welcomed with overwhelming support from the rest of the group.

"It lifts one's spirits to talk with other people in the same situation," club member Richard Rogers said.

Although the rising attendance is a sure sign of the times, Reed says at least he's doing something and meeting people to prove he's not alone.

He's not just rooting for himself but his new friends.

"To be inspired by people finding a job. To be inspired by seeing attitudes changing, and what they say from week to week," Reed said.

Here is a list of some of the job clubs around the metro area:

Career Connect Coffee Club-at Stella's Coffee Shop
1476 S. Pearl St. Denver.
Facilitated by Kate Culligan M.Ed
Focuses on mid-career professionals
303-832-8108
$5 fee

Coach Joan's Career Cafe!
Coach Joan's Career Cafe - Informal Career / Job Search Group
Job Seekers & Career Changers
Delectable Egg at Lowry, 200 N. Quebec, Denver, CO 80230
Every Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
FREE (Bring money if you'd like to eat breakfast)
RSVP appreciated but not required to coachjoan@coachjoan.com
Joan specializes in GenX clients

The Caffeinated Careers Club - Lafayette
Fridays in March
Hanna's Specialty Foods & Delicatessen
802 S. Public Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
303-664-0200 (www.hannasfood.com)
From 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Cost $1 donation.
PLEASE PLAN TO PURCHASE HANNA'S PRODUCTS!
Dress business casual
For more information, contact Rachelle Dillon at rachelled@att.net.

The Caffeinated Careers Club - South Denver
Fridays in March
Our popular, inspirational weekly job search group. This group is much more than "hanging out with unemployed folks" - we network, share advice, job leads, resources, and encouragement.
Whole Foods Tamarac
7400 E. Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/tamarac/ or 303-488-2000
From 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Meeting organizer suggests you arrive at 8 a.m. so that you can make your purchases and network a bit prior to the meeting.
$1 donation
PLEASE PLAN TO PURCHASE WHOLE FOODS PRODUCTS.
No outside food or beverages, please.

The Caffeinated Careers Club - Arvada
Fridays in March
Our popular, inspirational weekly job search group. This group is much more than "hanging out with unemployed folks" - we network, share advice, job leads, resources, and encouragement. The Arvada CCC, facilitated by job search expert Tracy Laswell Valdez, is positive, businesslike, uplifting, and focused. Established October 1999 and going strong, with typical attendance of 15-25 individuals.
Arvada Panera Bread - COMMUNITY ROOM
7739 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, 80003 - (303) 420-7500 for directions if needed (77th & Wadsworth, west side.)
From 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
$1 donation.
PLEASE PLAN TO PURCHASE PANERA's PRODUCTS: coffee, other beverages, and/or delicious baked goodies.
Dress business casual.
ARVADA MEETING NOTE: As a temporary means of managing larger than average attendance, we request that you attend on the following schedule during MARCH. Last names beginning A-L, please attend the first and/or third Friday of the month. Last names beginning M-Z, please attend the second and/or fourth Friday of the month.
For more information, call Tracy Laswell Valdez at 303-424-1700.

Jeffco Professional Connections Group
Meets every Wednesday at Co. Mills Shopping Mall - Space 134 at 5:30 p.m.
Facilitated by Career Consultant Kate Culligan M.Ed
303-832-8108
Sponsored by Jefferson County Workforce Center.
Focuses on mid-career professionals

Boomer Job Club
Meets every Thursday at 11:15 a.m. at Co. Mills Shopping - Space 134
Facilitated by career counselor Jane Grogan.
Sponsored by Jefferson County Workforce Center
Focuses on Baby Boomers

Trinity United Methodist Church
Meets every Wednesday at 9 a.m. starting April 15
Facilitated by Kate Culligan
303-832-8108
Focuses on mid-career professionals
$5 fee

8 O'clock Club
Join us at the 8 O'clock Club, a networking forum for professionals in transition. We meet once weekly to keep you energized, focused, and informed on the latest trends and techniques for finding your next career opportunity!
Come for coffee or tea and stimulating conversation on the keys to securing the job of choice.
Best Search Techniques - Hot Topics - Brainstorming - New Contacts.
Cost - $3
Reservations required please
E-mail: kwinsor@thewinsorgroup.com or call 303-331-3401
The Winsor Group
3773 Cherry Creek North Drive, Suite 575
Denver, CO 80209

Right Management socials
They meet the second Tuesday of every month at the C.B. & Potts at the Denver Tech Center, and the third Tuesday of every month at the C.B. & Potts in Broomfield
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
All you need are business cards (it's recommend you bring a pen), and it is a social gathering. Munchies are free, but you pay for your own drinks.

SocialNet
See Web site for nearest location, date, and cost
www.integratedAlliances.com
This is run by a company called Integrated Alliances. This is similar to the Right Management meetings (bring only business cards, a pen, and money for drinks), but I have met some good people with some good business needs. Meetings are usually in a bar or nightclub, but well organized. Some events are free; others require a registration charge of $20 or so. Like the Right Management socials, you have to pay for your own drinks.

Art of Professional Networking
They meet the second Thursday of every month at the Koelbel library on the southwest corner of Orchard and Holly (southeast Denver) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A terrific organization run by Art Weeast. It is similar to CCC in that everyone sits down, and you will want to bring a pad of paper with you. Art (and others) have great contacts that seem to always provide help to everyone.

St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church
Monday
8035 S. Quebec
Centennial, CO
Under Padre Restaurant
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Our Father Lutheran Church JobSeekers
Meet every Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Our Father Lutheran Church (on Holly between Orchard and Arapahoe Road).

St. Andrews United Methodist Church South Denver Career Transition Workshop (CTW)
This group meets every Wednesday evening at St. Andrews Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch (south of C-470 on University).
3350 White Bay Drive
Rm B251
Highlands Ranch
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The format is similar to Coach Joan's, CCC, and the Art of Professional Networking in that everyone sits down and hears everyone else's elevator pitch. However, after the "networking" time, they conduct a seminar on different topics (interviewing help, resume help, negotiating skills, networking, etc.).

St. Michael's Catholic Church
Last Tuesday of Month
19099 E. Floyd Avenue, Rm 4
Aurora
7:30 p.m.