A Call of Relief for Moore Oklahoma

On May 20, 2013 a heavily populated area of Moore Oklahoma was hit by an EF4 tornado which killed 24 people including 10 children, injured 377 and left 1,150 homes destroyed. In addition Moore Medical Center was heavily damaged. This is not the first time a tornado has touched down in Moore, in 1999 a EF5 tornado hit Moore and killed 36 residents injuring 295. Now over a month later Moore residents are still searching for the emergency funding that was promised by so many organizations.

The majority of neighborhoods in and around Moore were obliterated from one of the deadliest tornadoes since the U.S. Joplin, Missouri tornado in 2011; FEMA deployed Urban Search and rescue teams to hit areas, also incident common personnel was sent to organize and support rescue efforts.  President Obama declared Oklahoma a major disaster area and ordered federal aid to the affected areas.  The United Nation also offered to help residents of Oklahoma with any recovery efforts. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder donated $1 million which was then matched by the Oklahoma City Thunders. Charles Nelson who is the Co-founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes in Los Angeles also donated proceeds to the support effort for Oklahoma. So where are the funds going and why aren’t they being used to support all of Oklahoma ?

The mayor Mr. Glenn Lewis has stated that he would like to create an ordinance that would require storm shelters or safe rooms to be built in new housing. This is a great idea since schools and homes were not built to sustain the pressure of an EF5 tornado, however, it is the building of these new housing units that needs to be addressed.  Similarly, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin spoke with President Obama who requested that officials “be in touch directly if there were additional resources the administration could provide.” Well Mr. President the residents of Moore are in dire need of those additional resources. 

Moore Oklahoma is a community of working class Americans, however, a month after the storm residents are still living out of tents, homes are still leveled and many victims who are trying to beat the summer heat must do so out of the kind heartedness of their neighbors. Many residents are need of clothing and simple care packages that return so type of normalcy to the community. United Way has not helped with the efforts to rebuild the Moore community. In a thank you letter sent to residents United Way thanked the Moore residents for helping to raise $22,366,410 for Central Oklahoma.  As many reader well remember the concert held by Blake Shelton which raised $6 million which was donated to the United Way for relief efforts in and around Oklahoma. However, many residents of Moore are still without shelter or food. What is not said is how the United Way plans to use this money so that it benefits Oklahoma as a whole.

Who is fighting for the rights of these victims? Who will stand and see the devastation and offer a hand in helping these residents gain the simple pleasures that each and every American is entitled to. The United Way must open contact with a representative of Moore like Mayor Lewis and come up with a plan that distributes relief funds equally throughout Oklahoma. This is a call for relief from those who had pledged to donate, the devastation is not over but the people of Moore are strong and they will rebuild but it is up to their representatives to supply them with the means of doing so. Please Mr. President, Governor Fallin and Mayor Lewis do not overlook Moore and all the other places that are still in need of assistance; keep the promises that you made in May and make sure the money goes where it is most needed to helping restore Oklahoma back to its former glory.

Shateya R. Richardson

Cite:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/01/mile-wide-tornado-oklahoma-disaster-discovery_n_3372623.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/moore-tornado-2013-oklahoma_n_3308904.html

The Do’s of finding Employment on your own in New York City

New York is the city that never sleeps and this is very true for the New York professional who is seeking employment. This guide is something I created to help unemployed New Yorkers find jobs in this tough economy using their own resources. I gathered some information I’ve been using and researching and compiled it in to a list of Do’s that every job candidate can follow to land that perfect position you are looking for. Your comments are welcome and thank you so much for deciding to start your future with me.

Do’s

·         Remain confident no matter how long it takes to find a job: It is very easy to become discouraged and inactive the best way to stay confident is to be certain what field of work you can see yourself in. Can you visualize yourself in this position? Are you making a lot of money or are you content with a more modest life? Asking questions like these can both determine your readiness to enter the job market in this field and help your job search skills because you are actively prepared to see it through to the end. Unemployment although a negative situation can also become a positive time for the individual to assess their situation and find direction for the future. Once this is overcome you must look forward to learning from old mistakes while staying confident enough not to make new ones. Assure yourself of your success because you have already succeeded.

·         Take time out from your job searching in order to relieve some stress: Try activities like bike riding or working out to strengthen not only your body, mind and morals but the procedures you choose to search for a job. This helps to support healthy living which is crucial to having a healthy work ethic. It can be very easy to succumb to depression because the phone is not ringing and the bills are piling up, however being active in any way you can helps to ward off feelings of depression while you are searching for a job. Going to the library is an excellent way to be active in both your personal and professional life. Try looking for stories of success via the internet, sometimes it gets so hard you may start to believe you may never find a job; in hearing stories of success your goals and means of achieving success are more real to you because people like you have succeeded.

·         Signing up for governmental assistance: This can be helpful as whatever money you receive from the government can be used for your transportation when job searching on foot or to pay any fees to staffing agencies. Moreover, the government supplies free training through grants to adults who are unemployed and would like to strengthen their professional capabilities. However, there is still a need to search for positions on your own. This is because recruiters would often send you to contacts that may not be up to your professional standards or ethics, just so they can place you in a position. If you are someone who is certain of your professional capabilities then take the classes they offer on resume writing but do your own research on the side. Research can be going to the library and reading resume books or going to the Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn public libraries free resume classes offered on Thursdays from 5:30p.m-m-7:00p.m. E-mail old contacts and ask if they have anything new. Don’t be forced to take just any job let the recruiters know what you are looking for and ask if they provide any courses you could attend to improve your skillset.

·         Research, research, research: This is applicable both to the field you want to work in and the location you desire to work at; moreover, there are many jobs that are not widely known by the average person; some of these positions pay a modest salary, while others are more for those who have a spirit for volunteering. NYCservice.org has volunteering opportunities listed that take in to concern what the applicant is interested in, the borough they want to work, the skillset or date they would like to apply by. Also check-out your community boards website and click the link that says jobs and training resources; here you will see a drop down list of jobs or training programs in or near your neighborhood. Think of your interests first, some of these offers provide pay while others offer college credits for free (that’s right I said College credits for free). Research is also a necessity when tailoring your resume or CV to a specific employer, demonstrate that you have keen knowledge of the company mission, the type of work it does and how successful it is at doing it. This type of research can be used to your advantage to you in the interview process. Try starting the interview with some of the percentages on the company’s website and add that you can improve these numbers by a certain percentage given a period of time from being hired.

·         Trying joining staffing agencies: Staffing agencies are like having your own personal assistant who keeps sending out your resume to employers in the hope that one will hire you. Staffing agencies like Kelly Services and OfficeTeam have existed 65 years and have a high job placement rate globally. In light of this it is very important that you not let this be one of your main focuses. There are often many candidates for the positions offered and the company would be inclined to pass over a new client for one who has been in their circle for some time. (This is why it is imperative for you to be open and network with professionals from your field). Moreover, the agency will send out your resume to positions they feel you are a good candidate for, so be observant and call in every now and then to see what jobs they are offering.

·         Networking online: Check out groups currently working to make a difference in your professional field. Meetup.com is great place to start because it offers a variety of (please continue me). Target companies you want to work for send a resume to the human resources department, the manager, the president. Write a letter to the company contact; in it identify the employer’s current business problems and suggest viable solutions.  This will allow the employer to view you as an effective addition to the organization with a real and practical plan for the businesses future progression.

·         When searching for a position on Linkedin.com or other professional websites: Always connect with recruiters, even if you don’t know them. This will be a big help because the very same recruiters are sometimes the ones who are contacted for the positions the site offers. Make friends with some of their recruiter contacts; find out what groups they support and if these groups are applicable to your career goals join them.  Try contacting the recruiters and letting them know that you are searching for a position and would like to opportunity to e-mail them personally your resume. Ask if they can review it and give you some hints on what needs to be added or excluded. Sometimes you won’t get a reply back because the recruiter has so many people to place, so always follow up your e-mail about two to three weeks after sending the first. This way you show that you are determined to get their attention and to find a position with their company.

·         Always stay updated on trends or news in your field of work: Staying updated has now been made easier thanks to social media sites like Twitter.com and Linkedin.com. Remember to comment on issues in your field that need adjustment and try offering some creative ways on how the issue can be handled efficiently. Staying current on your industries growing needs means asking yourself what it is that employers in your field are looking for? Once you’ve zeroed in on the quality or trait research it to get a deeper understanding of its importance. Ask yourself whether you possess this characteristic or talent; if not what steps can you take to gain this or become proficient in a skill? In addition to this watching television channels dealing with your industry is another good way to stay current, you can always write an article or blog using issues and sources from the program you are viewing. This not only shows your interest in your field but also helps to give you a voice that connects with many over the internet. Don’t be afraid to put your articles out there and be heard.

·         Keep track of time when doing job search: It is very easy to lose track of time when conducting job search, especially when you must sign up for sites, repost resumes and CV’s, send e-mails, making phone calls etc. Try making a list containing things you need for job searching. The things you listed now need to be looked over and categorized as either Low (L) or High (H) priorities. You can have more than one of each but make sure to list it as being a (Low1) or (Low2) priority, that way you can clearly see what you must do and have more time to complete it.  Try buying a folder with multiple pockets and placing job search paperwork under headings like: recruiters, job search for month, new information, groups joined and passwords etc. Once you are able to prioritize and categorize your own documents with time management, you will easily keep your supervisor in order.  Try creating an Excel document that lists the date, time, contact, email and extra comments while doing your job search from day to day; this can be a reference to look back on and all the information is clear and easily ready to work for you.