The 20th Birthday Bash and Annual Social Event was enjoyed by many.  Great evening with all the auction items SOLD!   The wine and food were enjoyed and the evening declared "fun and successful". 

And a BIG THANK YOU to Quality Inn & Suites for their kind donation of facilities and services!

GOOD CONNECTIONS THRIFT SHOPPE

OUR NEW STORE IS OPEN!  Bigger and better!  We are located in the Davis Plaza, 6634 US 19 N, New Port Richey.  727-841-7108.  We sell and accept donations of clothes, household items and furniture (we will pick up).  

Connections Job Development Program assists all who are unemployed or underemployed. All services are free and our amazing Thrift Shoppe provides funding for this necessary community program.

Every donation and sale assists a person become employed.

ADA Training: Thank you attendees for all your positive comments!

ADA Training was a HUGE success and will be repeated (as requested by attendees) some time in the future.

Some comments from attendees:

"Should be 200 people here, so informative".
"I would have paid at least $100.00 for this training".
"Please schedule a second  training and be sure to let me know, I will attend".
"I learned so much, very informative".
"So pleased I was invited, was so much more than I anticipated".

Thank you to Mr. Jack Humburg, our speaker, and to Quality Inn of New Port Richey for providing the venue.  If you missed this training, contact us and we will inform you when we schedule future training for businesses and agencies.  727 849 4724  or skrautner@connectionsjobdevelopment.org

Next Event:  Our 4th ANNUAL SOCIAL EVENING (WINE TASTING) on April 21st at Quality Inn, New Port Richey, FL   Please contact us for reservations.

Start small, offer services to the community and local business then remain true to your mission; that’s the Connections Job Development Program. Twenty years later we remain on course. 

Connections is launching its twentieth anniversary offering you the opportunity to learn the latest regulations for Americans with Disabilities Act. We have retained expert, Jack Humburg, Director of Housing Development & ADA Services, to conduct a training session on the Department of Justice’s new ADA rules and regulations, Wednesday, January 18 from 8:00 to 10:30 am at the Quality Inn on 19N in New Port Richey.  A $20 donation is requested. A full breakfast will be served.

Q: Why would I or someone from my organization attend this ADA training?

A: To provide you with information to comply with new regulations to avoid costly lost time and litigation.

Q: How can Connections help me?

A: In addition to this training, our small staff trains job-seekers in various computer programs, assists them in preparing resumes reflecting skills and achievements and offers tips on interviewing and how to keep a job. We seek to match your job needs with qualified candidates for you to interview.

Q: Who supports Connections? Is it a 501. (c) 3?

A: Connections is a registered not-for-profit organization.  Since 1992, we have received contributions from individuals, businesses, churches, grants and help from the United Way of Pasco County. All proceeds from our Thrift Shoppe in Davis Plaza on 19N support our agency.

In 1992, Sister Joan Foley, a Medical Mission Sister, sought to serve the homeless and unemployed by connecting them with area businesses seeking qualified employees. Her first office operated from the trunk of a car before she moved to an old church on Washington Street in New Port Richey. Today, the program operates in a Main Street home made available through a grant in 2000 from the Pasco County Board of Commissioners.

Please join us on January 18. There will be time to meet other business leaders and an opportunity for Mr. Humburg to answer your questions. Call 727-849-4724 for reservations or e-mail me at skrautner@connectionsjobdevelopment.org.

Value in Grant that Would Support Area Homeless, Connections

Short but Powerful Video--It's not What You Say But How You Say It!

I found this little video packs quite an impact.  In our classes at Connections we try to emphasize the importance of being upbeat as you go through your day, when you meet new people, and certainly from the minute you enter an interview.  You never know who you will meet while standing in line at the grocery store, waiting in the doctor's office, or at a networking meeting or volunteer function.  Someone out there has a job opening and first impressions, well, you know what we think about that.  

Take a look and let us know what you think!  Have a great day, and remember to think about how you are communicating, not just the words you use.

http://www.resources4associations.com/the-arc-blog/2011/4/12/its-not-what-you-say-its-how-you-say-it.html 

Interesting Wall Street Journal Article, The Upside Down Job Market,

An Interesting look at a trend the WSJ cites of older Americans returning to work and taking jobs traditionally filled by teenagers.  


What's happening in your family?  Have the tables turned as a grandparent goes back to work and the teens are unemployed?  What are the long-term implications as young people acquire fewer job skills?  


Take a look at:
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2011/03/24/the-upside-down-job-market/

SMILE When You Enter the Interview!

Here are some great tips for making a wonderful first impression at an interview, plus some things to look out for, best ways to answer difficult questions, and more.


If you want more help, these are the types of topics covered in our new, Ace the Interview! class, which starts this week and will be offered twice a month.  Check out the Connections Calendar for details and how to register.

Interview Tips Video