TRTCares continues volunteer outreach

Times are tough and many people are feeling the strain of the economy, which is why the volunteers of TRTCares are reaching out to help.

TRTCares had its origins at Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, in 2008 when Rabbi Donald Weber asked for congregants to serve as volunteers and assist their fellow community members.

In the weeks following Weber's request, more than 100 volunteers from different religious groups and career backgrounds stepped forward and united in the cause of helping others.

The organization's volunteers offer their expertise in various areas to people who need assistance. There are volunteers providing help in legal and financial matters, career counseling, emotional health, administration matters and more, Chairman David Levy described.

TRTCares is a nondenominational initiative that offers assistance on a confidential basis. There is no charge for the services provided.

Bob Baer, of Manalapan, has taken advantage of the career services offered by the volunteers of TRTCares. Baer lost his job as a sales representative and was having trouble finding a new position.

"I'm 57, which doesn't help me, so it might be a little harder for me to find something, but they have been very helpful," Baer said of the TRTCares volunteers.

Baer learned about the program through word of mouth and decided to make a call. Baer worked with Michael Klass, the TRTCares career counseling leader.

Baer said Klass helped him to revamp his resume, search the group's job bank to see if there were any listings matching his experience, and directed him to job fairs.

Klass also asked another volunteer, Michael DeFazio, to go to Baer's home to repair his computer, Baer described. He said DeFazio put significant time and effort into the task.

"They couldn't have been nicer and more helpful," Baer said about the volunteers of TRTCares.

Unfortunately, Baer is still looking for work. He has plans to continue attending the job fairs that TRTCares informs him of and working with the group. Baer's re- sume is on file and Klass and the other volunteers keep searching for a position that matches his qualifications.

"It's a tough market out there, unfortunately, but they are doing what they can to help me. I'm very appreciative," Baer said.K

lass, a resident of the Morganville section of Marlboro, said he decided to volunteer with TRTCares because he believed his career experience as a recruiter would be beneficial to individuals seeking help in finding a new job in a tough market.

So far the career counseling division has worked with 34 people, Klass said.

As part of the career counseling portion of TRTCares, Klass said volunteers work with clients on many issues. They review résumé writing, interview skills, jobsearch strategies and networking.

A lot of the volunteer's task is to provide motivation to the person who is out of work, Klass said.

"Unfortunately, it's a very depressing time. It is very difficult on a lot of folks," he added.

Although times are tough, Klass has seen some successes through TRTCares. He said one of his best experiences so far was when he helped an individuals with a resume and the job seeker was able to find new employment.

Despite the fact that not everyone who is looking for a job has been placed in a new position, Klass and the other volunteers are keeping a positive outlook for the future.

"There is no magic wand and the challenge is getting people to understand that it is really going to take a good deal of work to find a decent position that is even remotely related to what they (had been) doing. But for those people who are willing to do that work, we are very interested in working with them and hopefully facilitating them getting their next position," he said.

TRTCares is continuing to direct people to networking workshops and keeping them abreast of any available job openings.

Volunteers from all religious denominations are still being sought. Anyone with a desire to provide counseling services to individuals in need (i.e., legal services, financial services, career counseling, emotional health counseling) is encouraged to join TRTCares.

For more information about volunteering or accessing the services provided by TRTCares, contact the group at trtcares@ gmail.com or call 732-320-8287.