Parachute Group helps career changing workforce

The Parachute Group, a recently formed networking group for dislocated employees and career changers, is offering support, contacts and ideas to the dislocated worker in Buffalo.

What started as a small way to give back to the community is burgeoning into a networking movement that gives the temporarily unemployed individual a place to go to stay motivated.

Corporate Buffalo has offered to help. Recently, Dan Hanssel, director of marketing for Time Warner Cable, came to the group as a guest to demonstrate the power of networking online through Linked In, and outplacement professionals have made presentations to the group on topics that include tips for resume writing and answering tough interview questions.

Even people who have networked within the group have come back after they find their next position to share ideas, hope and support through an otherwise difficult time.

"Parachuters come back frequently to tell us they feel like they owe us something," said Katy Shafer, a co-founder of the group. "At this point, we're just looking for a way to contribute to the community that has allowed us to build such a successful practice."

Shafer and her business partner, Valerie Stanek, are financial planners. The group was formed as a resource to address the needs of both downsized individuals and those seeking a career change.

The group provides participants with information on a variety of topics, including programs designed to help find a job, start a business, information on subsidized health insurance and other topics to ease the transition. Most important, however, is the opportunity to interact with people in a similar situation and to maintain a positive outlook as members share their experience, knowledge and contacts with each other.

The Parachute Group is independent of any corporation, nonprofit organization, governmental program or other affiliation. Its purpose is to provide a forum for networking, information and discussion. Anyone in transition is invited to participate. There is no charge.

The group conducts its networking meetings at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the Harlem Road Community Center, Community Room No. 1, 4255 Harlem Road in Snyder.