Unemployed professionals band together

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Membership in a support group for unemployed professionals on the north side more than doubled in the last three months. It's part of an effort for some victims of the recession to help each other to cope.

Everyone in the room at Business and Professional Exchange has a story about unemployment and employment. They held jobs in middle or upper management until the recession hit. Now they belong to the support group for job seekers.

"Eighty percent of the jobs are found through networking today. So, it's really to facilitate getting people to know people," said Bruce Flanagan.

The support group has found friendship too. They got together Thursday for a holiday luncheon.

"Here are a bunch of other people in the same boat and it gives a human face to the situation," Alan Stillerman.

Every Monday morning, 75-80 unemployed professionals gather at a north side church and when one of them finds a job, they expect him or her to come back with doughnuts.

"It’s good for me. You know, you get dressed up every Monday morning like you're going to work and you just start your week off dedicated to finding a job," Wendy Stamm.

And there are jobs to be found. Rod Sopczynski showed up Thursday looking for someone to hire.

"I've been employed a year in November and came through this same group. I had been, like them, out nine months," Rod Sopczynski.

The Business and Professional Exchange has five chapters in Central Indiana. When they meet, members each get 30 seconds to describe his or her job skills. Their favorite meeting quote is: "I brought the doughnuts."