OCC Program Helps Former Homemakers Adapt to Working Life

The Displaced Homemakers program founded in 1979 was created to assist homemakers who now find themselves as the primary source of household income for themselves and their children.

In many of these cases, the woman has never been in the workplace or has been out of it for an extended period of time and therefore is underemployed and has difficulty finding a job or starting a career that will support herself and/or her children, the program organizers said. 

New Jersey has 15 Displaced Homemaker programs in 14 counties and has assisted more than 39,000 people in the ultimate goal of the program: economic self-sufficiency.

The Ocean County chapter operates out of in Toms River. Organizers said 70 to 100 women at any given time are enrolled and actively use the resources to help them work through life challenges as well as enroll in self-improvement seminars such as computer training, budgeting and counseling.

A homemaker may feel as though she's lost touch with being up-to-date in job placement skills, and the program hopes to overcome those feelings with support and resources.

“Many of the women have lost their sense of self," said Eileen Burdge, Community Services Specialist for the program at OCC.

One-on-one coaching the Displaced Homemakers administration staff offers makes the difference, said Kate Pandolpho, director of the program at OCC.

“We get to know the clients,” said Burdge, and through at least one face-to-face meeting each month with each participant, Burdge is able to “check in” and get a feel for what type of assistance each woman might need.

The inviting atmosphere Pandolpho and Burdge offer turn the once-a-month meetings into multiple "check ins" where the women stop by to visit more often to get advice, chat about their kids, their job search or the classes they have been taking.

“The women that participate are the ones that move forward to success,” said Burdge.

Being located on a college campus serves as an advantage for the participants to further their goals, said Pandolpho. On campus the women are among other students and it often inspires them to take college courses.

“They see that many of their peers also have other obligations aside from school, and they can see that they really can do it” said Pandolpho. “They can raise a family and go to school—and in many cases also work or do work study. They see that education is power.”

Group workshops also are offered and are designed around the needs of the participants—including concentration on employment relevant to the Jersey Shore area such as tourism and services.

The content of the workshops vary, but the most common subjects are addressed and often guest speakers are invited to speak.

“We structure to meet the needs of our participants,” said Burdg. “Workshops offer peer support, problem solving, encouragement and the ability and desire to set goals.” 

Some of the workshops held recently covered budgeting, how to save money on income tax filing and small support groups that discuss and analyze the different stages of grief and subsequent recovery.

Attendance in workshops is encouraged, but not required. “We meet the client where she is,” said Burdge, “and whatever she is ready to take on, we are there to help. I love to see the changes people make.”

The Displaced Homemakers Program is not based on income and anyone interested is invited to contact Burdge to set up a meeting. She can be reached at 732-255-0400 ext. 2297 or via email at eburdge@ocean.edu.