Ridgewood Library honored by Neighbors-helping-Neighbors

On Thursday October 25, 2012, the Ridgewood Public Library was honored and recognized for their support of Neighbors-helping-Neighbors, USA with the presentation of a Founders Plaque.  Jacque Weiss, facilitator for the group in Ridgewood, awarded the plaque with the support of Mayor Paul Aronsohn of the Village, to Nancy Greene, Library Director, and Eileen Colyer, Adult Services Supervisor.

Neighbors-helping-Neighbors (NhN), is a volunteer led organization offering free weekly support and networking meetings in multiple libraries in New Jersey and beyond, for people actively seeking employment. The group, founded by John Fugazzie, in January of 2011 has grown dramatically from its 4 original members in the River Edge library. NhN celebrated its first anniversary in Ridgewood on September 8, 2012.  There are now more than 1,000 members and 200 success stories.  All NhN groups foster an environment in which members assist each other in job search techniques and suggestions based on personal experience plus personal and professional networking. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors is dedicated to a “pay it forward” model.

Mayor Aronsohn has been particularly supportive of Neighbors-helping-Neighbors.  After attending the one year anniversary celebration for Ridgewood, held on September 27, the Mayor invited Jacque Weiss to make a presentation about the group to the Village Council on October 24.  The focus of this presentation was not only to make the Council aware of the NhN’s activities to help residents in career transition secure employment, but also to encourage area businesses to invest in the community by hiring locally.

Resources are available at host libraries to assist with job searches on the library
computers.  NJ’s library system is dedicated to helping residents with the job search, so it is a great venue for meetings.  In Ridgewood the group is
directly supported by Eileen Colyer under the leadership of Nancy Greene. While
there is a regular meeting format, occasional meetings can include guest
speakers, career coaches and HR professionals, who give timely advice and
resume critiques.  There are a variety of volunteers who offer their services to the membership free of charge.

While thanking the group for the plaque on behalf of the Library, Nancy Greene spoke about the desire of Ridgewood’s Library staff to do whatever they can to
support the members of Neighbors-helping-Neighbors.  The Library has provided training classes for members in areas of desktop technology, LinkedIn use, resume preparation and other career supportive offerings. Special discounts have been given to NhN members for many of these services.  Nancy specifically solicited input from NhN Ridgewood members regarding additional subject areas for future training classes as well as information about specific professional development of members that may be supported.  It is a great example of community in action, with everyone offering the best they have for the benefit of all involved.

In January 27, 2012 the first organization-wide NhN anniversary event was hosted in the Ridgewood Library auditorium. The Bergen County Freeholders presented John Fugazzie with a Certificate of Commendation for the group at this
celebration. The Ridgewood Library has been immensely supportive of NhN,
hosting other events including a presentation by Mary Ellen Clark, Assistant
Commissioner of Workforce Development, NJ State Department of Labor as well as career coach and author, Abby Kohut, otherwise known as “Absolutely Abby”.

Photo Caption

Left to Right Eileen Colyer, Adult Services Supervisor Ridgewood Library, Ridgewood Mayor Paul
Aronsohn, Nancy Greene, Ridgewood Library Director, Annabel Greene, and Jacque
Weiss, Neighbors helping Neighbors Ridgewood facilitator