PROVIDENCE, R.I. – With Rhode Island’s unemployment rate one of the highest in the nation, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence has announced a new weekly feature to connect unemployed Rhode Islanders with companies offering jobs.
Beginning in late January, Rhode Island Catholic, the second-largest newspaper in the state, will publish help-wanted advertisements free of charge to help unemployed Rhode Islanders find a new job.
The newspaper will also publish, free of charge, information from those who are seeking employment. The diocese will launch an outreach effort to area employers, chambers of commerce, human resources professionals and other agencies informing them of this cost-efficient opportunity.
“The Diocese of Providence, through Rhode Island Catholic, is pleased to offer free employment listings to assist Rhode Islanders affected by this ominous economy,” said Bishop Tobin, publisher of Rhode Island Catholic, in a Dec. 25 statement.
“Rhode Island families and individuals face very difficult situations and choices, especially as we enter a new year filled with challenges,” the bishop said. “This is but one way the Catholic Church can help Rhode Islanders during these difficult times.”
Each Thursday, the weekly newspaper will publish help-wanted advertisements free of charge from local companies with open positions alongside information from Rhode Islanders seeking employment. The newspaper will also post the listings on its Web site, www.thericatholic.com, each Saturday morning.
Local businesses seeking applicants are asked to supply the name of the business, address, phone number, Web site, e-mail address, preferred method to receive resumes, cover letters or applications, position title and brief description. Those seeking employment must supply name, phone number, position sought and qualifications.
All businesses that submit listings must have a physical address in Rhode Island, Massachusetts or Connecticut.
This is one of many efforts launched by the diocese to help Rhode Islanders cope with the current economy. Earlier in 2008, Bishop Tobin launched the fourth annual Keep the Heat On campaign that provides heating assistance to those Rhode Islanders who have exhausted all other public and private forms of assistance.
The diocese also sponsored a program this summer, as gas prices exceeded $3.50 per gallon, providing public transportation tickets to help those in need of transportation to work, school, grocery stores and doctor appointments.
In the week before Christmas, Bishop Tobin awarded $75,000 in emergency assistance grants to local homeless shelters, meal sites and food pantries using funds donated by an anonymous donor.