Churches, temples reach out to jobless

But in the architecture field, Dan Cheney contends, there’s nothing. Nobody’s hiring.

So the Haverhill 32-year-old, who was laid off from his job as an architect on April 9, is collecting unemployment and preparing to move into computer science. In the meantime, he said, a seasonal, part-time job “shuffling plants around’’ at a garden center is helping with the bills, and, just as important, keeping boredom from growing roots.

All the while, as uncertainty lingers like a fog, he seeks guidance in a likely place: his church.

But, unexpectedly, it’s not just the spiritual kind.

Within the gilded halls of Haverhill’s West Congregational Church - where he regularly attends services and teaches Sunday school - Cheney has sought help refining his resume and prepping for interviews. He has even traded a few business cards.

Call it job searching with a little divine intervention.

As national unemployment rates linger precipitously just below double digits, places of worship are broadening their missions beyond the spiritual - some even serving as de facto employment centers.

North of Boston, churches, temples, and synagogues have begun to host seminars on resume writing and the art of interviewing; networking events; and support groups for the unemployed or those in danger of becoming unemployed. Some also collect resumes and post job openings on their websites.

In tough times like these, it’s exactly what they should be doing, officials said. As of June, the national unemployment rate had climbed to 9.5 percent. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, 8.6 percent are unemployed, a 3.5 percent jump over last June, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

“We have to keep in mind that it’s not just a question of being here for people when times are good,’’ said Carrie Lavoie, executive director of Temple Emanuel, a Reform Jewish congregation in Andover that launched a series of monthly networking meetings in May. “Part of our whole goal is that, when people have issues with their lives, we’re here for support. We have to be here for people.’’

For the temple, that has meant bringing in speakers who offer advice on resume writing, career transition, professional dress, and the most effective way to job hunt. Future events will likely address deeper issues, Lavoie said, including healthcare and meeting the emotional needs of the family during unemployment or transition.

So far, the groups have drawn between 25 and 30 people, she said, some who are temple members, others who aren’t.

South Church in Andover holds a similar monthly group for the unemployed; in fact, it’s in its seventh year, according to facilitator Michael Massey.

Parishioners at St. Catherine of Alexandria Roman Catholic Church in Westford, meanwhile, recently formed a “faithworks employment support network’’ whose meetings “combine prayerful discernment, networking, and practical job search and career skills in a spirit of fellowship,’’ according to a recent announcement. An upcoming event on Aug. 13 will evaluate attendees’ job-search campaigns and help them to develop a proactive transition plan.

Most events are open to both religious and secular members of the community, offering practical advice with spiritual seasoning.

“Truthfully, we just want to be helpful to people, regardless of their background or their religion,’’ said Lavoie, noting that unemployment “can be a very helpless feeling.’’

Similarly, churches aren’t just stained glass and pews anymore - they’re resource centers, often with computers, Wi-Fi capability, printers, copiers, and phones available for public use, said Jonathan DiStaulo, a pastor at West Congregational. Worship centers can put people to work, as well - even if money isn’t the reward. More important, volunteering can keep people busy and foster the feeling that they’re valuable, DiStaulo said.

It “helps bring perspective that your value is not based on what you do, but who you are,’’ he said.

Attendees at workshops and seminars are also reminded that even as they are struggling, it’s all happening for a reason.

“God has a plan for you - do you know that? Do you believe that?’’ Aram Sisoian, a retired human relations director who has begun offering free seminars at area churches, stressed during a recent morning workshop at West Congregational.

The roughly 16 gathered around a table before him nodded in affirmation.

Sisoian, of Alton, N.H., continued: “You’re going to end up where the Lord wants you. Every one of you has abilities.’’

Still, he stressed, be proactive. Network. When you do secure an interview, use action words, be articulate, be confident, sell yourself.

The rapt crowd ticked off notes, the square table they were gathered around littered with planners, resumes, business cards, and plastic cups of coffee that served as fuel throughout the three-hour workshop.

Mostly women, and mostly middle-aged, they were secretaries, machine operators, massage therapists, insurance experts, and marketing and hospitality professionals. Some were out of work, some in transition, many of them living on unemployment or severance.

They sought advice on relocating; asked how to beneficially answer the dreaded ‘What’s your greatest weakness?’; and wondered how to tactfully address the salary question.

There were laughs and shared anecdotes, groans at the inequity of corporate America, and even a few discreet tears.

“I’m trying to learn as much as I can,’’ said Cynthia Johnson, 46, of Atkinson, N.H. Out of work for three years, she’s a veteran of the hospitality field, which, she said, has been pummeled a bit more than some other industries.

Now, she’s trying to remove jargon from her resume - things like “multitasker’’ and “team player’’ - and instead expose her qualities “without sounding like I’m tooting my own horn.’’

All told, the experience can easily lead to defeatism, she acknowledged; it’s disconcerting to fire off a resume and get no response.

“I want to know it had an impact,’’ she said.

Cheney agreed - basically, he just wants someone to take a chance on him.

For now, he said, the garden center job is refreshing after all that time spent behind a drafting table. But it’s not exactly what his architectural engineering degree prepared him to do.

“I have a lot of skills to offer,’’ he said.