Future worries jobless Lynners

LYNN – Rochelle Sevier, 44, of Lynn still uses the North Shore Career Center in Lynn hoping to find a job, even after two years without a job.”My unemployment benefits have already expired,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like giving up, but I know I can’t. This has been the worst time of my life, but I’m going to get through it. I’ve become more spiritual and am getting closer to God.”Legislation to pay for extended unemployment benefits – up to 99 weeks – through Feb. 28 failed to win support in the U.S. Senate Tuesday, meaning an estimated 60,000 unemployed workers in the state could lose benefits during the holiday season, with some Lynn residents among them.Sevier, who has a master’s degree, was laid off in October 2008 from Fidelity Investments where she worked for eight years.”People say we’re lazy, but I want to work,” she said. “Last winter I took a seasonal job for $8 an hour folding sweaters. People like me don’t want to be part of the system. We want to work. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old and I am not a slacker.”Mark Whitmore, who is the executive director of North Shore Career Center, said he believes 3,800 North Shore residents will lose benefits this holiday season if unemployment benefits aren’t extended.”We have a lot of networking groups and that’s one thing we are constantly hearing,” Whitmore said. “We have well-qualified job seekers actively looking for jobs and they are very worried. We are telling people to continue filing each week because if an extension is passed it would be retroactive.”Lynn resident Philip Zankowski lost his job in February and, if unemployment benefits aren’t extended, he will lose his the first week in January.”I have 25 years experience as an operation manager in retail,” he said. “I have applied for every position I can and I’ve been told I’m overqualified for some positions. Looking for work is a full-time job.”Zankowski, who has a disabled wife and a couple of children at home, said the stress of not having a job is taking a toll.”I’ve been looking for jobs and pounding on doors,” he said. “I have no idea what we’ll do if benefits aren’t extended. I guess we’ll wing it. It’s all we can do. I just hope the politicians get off their butts and realize we need jobs.”Judy Ryan, 57, of Lynn worked most recently as a receptionist in a medical office. She was laid off almost a year ago and is scheduled to lose her unemployment benefits after the first of the year if there isn’t an extension.”I’ve been to interview after interview,” she said. “It’s a sad situation our country is in. The government needs to know if it cuts unemployment, there will be more homes in foreclosure and less money circulating in the economy. I understand this country has a huge deficit, but we need to take care of Americans.”Ryan spends more than 35 hours a week looking for a job without success.”I would take any job offered to me,” she said. “I had to eliminate my home phone, cable television and Internet just to make ends meet. I walk to the library to use the computer there. I am a strong woman but not knowing day to day if I’m going to lose my home is so stressful.”Ryan said she e-mailed U.S. Sen. Scott Brown pleading with him to extend unemployment benefits.”I told him before he makes a decision to cut people off that he needs to keep in mind how many tears will be shed,” Ryan said. “People are hurting through no fault of their own and need help.”Sevier added she is in survival mode and getting through each day is a struggle.”I had to declare bankruptcy.” she said. “I have to watch every single penny. It comes down to, do I buy food or do I pay bills? The stress is overwhelming and not working is impacting my self-esteem. I have my faith to hold on to, but my faith is all I have.”