Unemployment Leaps, Jobless Benefits Extended, Sour Economy Strains Nonprofits Too

You've seen the headlines telling us unemployment leaps to the highest in memory. Jobless benefits are being extended to help with the crunch that many Americans face. Demand for food boxes and free clothing is up. Donations that help provide those items are down. The sour economy that is taking its toll on the average American is straining nonprofits too.

But in the midst of great uncertainty there is opportunity and the opportunity is now.

The sour economy means that people and nonprofits have to be creative in providing services. The unemployment leap may provide people with some extra time on their hands. We've already seen at least one new recent volunteer and one who wants to volunteer more. They both see this as an opportunity to brush up the resume with new skills they wouldn't have had time to learn otherwise. The extension of jobless benefits may provide (at least for awhile) some measure of support while the skills are being polished.

The new volunteers we have are passionate. Their closensess to the effects of the sour economy brings a stronger commitment to their work. They know first-hand what the unemployment leap means to families who are struggling. This helps them connect better with other clients in ways that can go far beyond the current economic crisis.

While the jobless benefits extension and unemployment leap mean that there is less money to go around the fact remains that lives are being changed. People are still choosing to make a difference.

The economy is definitely causing a serious financial burden for nonprofits. Somehow, as nonprofits we will have to find ways to deal with that. But from this experience we have the opportunity to emerge from the unemployment leap as better, more compassionate and caring people. Despite the sour economy people are choosing to take the better path and help others.

I, for one, am glad to see that happen. If you are part of the unemployment leap, how will you spend your time? Will you use it as an opportunity to change lives or will you wait for the sour economy to change on its own? The choice is yours.