Meet the Innovator: Janet Glover-Kerkvliet of The Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group
Janet and The Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group are part of the Social Innovation Lab’s 2018–19 Cohort. To learn more about SIL and the cohort, click here. To see her at our Impact+Innovation Forum on April 30, register here!
SIL: Tell us about your organization. What are you trying to do?
JGK: We assist older (age 45+) long term unemployed (looking for a job 6 months or more) with the social, emotional, and psychological pain of mid-career job loss. We provide counseling, coaching, networking, outreach, advocacy, information, and referral opportunities.
SIL: Why did you decide to start this? Where did the idea come from?
JGK: The group was founded in November 2011 by Rev. Carol Cook and Nancy Jeannechild. Nancy was looking for a job club and when they didn’t find one locally, they started their own. I was a member of the group in 2012, even though I was working part time as a contractual therapist. I always had an interest in careers even as a kid. It probably didn’t hurt that my father worked in the NYS Department of Labor helping Vietnam Vets and pre-release inmates find work. I became a co-facilitator in January 2015 and the director in March 2018.
When I started to lead the group, I noticed that there were some truly amazing professionals, with years of experience and graduate degrees. Why weren’t they getting jobs? Then I started studying the long term unemployment issues that resulted from the Great Recession and knew there was more we could do to support these professionals.
SIL: What would you consider success for your project and how would the world be different if your project is successful?
JGK: Our success does not only include job matching but also providing emotional support for the job seekers. We can be successful by helping society at large support these professionals. I want people to understand that although the Great Recession is over, there are 1.3 million long term unemployed people in the US. We estimate that this includes 7,000 people in Baltimore City alone. In the US, we have an additional 6 million people who are involuntary part-time workers (people who would rather work full time but can’t find a full time job) and discouraged workers (people who have given up job searching because they believe there are no opportunities for them). Also, 40% of middle class Americans face poverty in retirement. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, among 65- to 74-year-olds, labor force participation is predicted to hit 32% by 2022, up from 20% in 2002. At age 75 and up, the rate will jump from 5% in 2002 to 11% in 2022.
I also want employers and human resources professionals to understand that there are myths about older workers that are simply not true. Stop calling us Baby Boomers, the Silver Tsunami, and even Perennial Workers. We are what Chip Conley of Arbnb calls “Modern Elders” who have experience, wisdom, and energy; love life-long learning; embrace smart technology; and are open to new adventures.
SIL: What have you accomplished so far?
JGK: We have tried a variety of things to help people “Recharge, ReDesign, and ReBuild,” including developing a curriculum that works for people who are older and long term un(der)employed, putting on a play called “Big Work” with 8 group members as actors, hosting guest speakers, reaching out to employers, doing group volunteer projects, and partnering with other workforce development agencies and groups. We have receiving funding from Baltimore Corps’s Elevation Award, JHU Social Innovation Lab, the American Counseling Association Foundation, and the National Board of Certified Counselors.
SIL: What are you getting out of your time with SIL?
JGK: I have learned so much from SIL. I met some truly brilliant innovators in my cohort, all of whom are working on important social enterprises. I loved the individual attention and genuine interest in my project from my Carey Business of Social Innovation mentor and the SIL Program Director, and the opportunity to assist fellow cohort members with aspects of their projects. It’s a collaborative community, and I hope to stay in touch with all of them.
SIL: Tell us about yourself. What got you interested in this issue? Any work or life experience which informs your work with BJHSG?
JGK: I’m a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified career development facilitator. When I was growing up in NY, my father lost his job in a statewide layoff during the 1973 Recession. It was devastating for the family. We lost our home to foreclosure and had to live in a hotel for a while. Eventually my father got his career back on track, but the PTSD from that never really resolved. I want to prevent that for other people.
SIL: What’s your favorite place or thing to do in Baltimore?
JGK: If I could only name one thing that is uniquely Baltimore that’s my favorite, I would have to say The Book Thing. You can never have enough books and I love finding quirky book titles and subjects.
I also love all the arts and classical music that one can get into in Baltimore. I love the Music for All Concert Series at Second Presbyterian, Bach in Baltimore at Zion Lutheran Church, Baltimore Musicales at the Corner Community Center in Roland Park, hearing the BSO and visiting the BMA, AVAM, and Walters.
SIL: What advice do you have for would-be social entrepreneurs thinking about starting a venture?
JGK: Find a community of innovators and read The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.
SIL: How can we help?
JGK: We’re always looking for volunteers, from mentors to resume readers, career coaches, and guest speakers. We’re also looking for introductions to employers for our participants, but above all: if you know someone who is un- or under-employed, then help them out. Make introductions, connect with them on LinkedIn, and comment on their posts. You can find out about upcoming events by joining our mailing list at our website or attending my upcoming Impact Hub Skill-Share on April 18th.
Join The Baltimore Job Hunters Support Group on the web and on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. You can connect with Janet on her LinkedIn, meet her sponsors at The Corner Community Center, and learn more from her at SIL’s annual Impact+Innovation Forum on April 30th! Details available at this link.
