2020 has certainly been a challenging year around the world. I think it is safe to say, however, that our community has been particularly hard hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitality industry, traditionally a mainstay of our economy, has been devastated. Employers have had no choice but to furlough or layoff many of their valued employees.
Even more devastating is the conclusion reached by some labor analysts that many of these jobs will not resurge in the foreseeable future. All of this has brought about the necessity for our community to, once again, reinvent itself.
We need to look at new job sectors into which those employees disenfranchised by the pandemic would be able to transition. We need to identify new curriculums and industry recognized certifications to retrain our workforce and redirect our economy.
Because being without a job does not just mean unemployment. It soon encompasses such other primary needs as food, shelter, transportation and almost every other issue facing the citizens of our community. Psychologically, unemployment is devastating. To dignity and self-esteem, it is a destroyer. Unemployment is an aggressive downhill path to problems that invade every inch of your life and the life of your family. Employment is the only answer to rebound our community.
Thank you for helping us identify new job sectors and jobs skills to help transition our citizens out of the devastation caused by COVID-19. Thank you for helping us do our part to lead our community into recovery.
With appreciation,
Janet Frasier Blumen
Founder and CEO