Transition Organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area
____________________________________________________________
Note meeting information should be verififed BEFORE attempting to attend any group.

Section I: Groups Affiliated with a Religious Organization

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church -  Career Counseling at the Middleton Center
http://www.bmpc.org/ --  http://www.middletoncenter.org/careercounseling.html
625 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-0766
Meet: Tuesdays at 7:30-9:30 pm.
Meets in the Gloucester Room but look for signs in the Ministry Center.
Contact: mail@middletoncenter.org  

Group counseling and support are available to those seeking to explore personal career/vocation choices as well as master specific job-hunting skills such as resume writing and interviewing techniques. John Grandbois, Vice President, Right Management Consultants provides expertise and leadership in weekly group sessions. John has led this group for over 20 years. Wherever you are on your career path, you will find support and guidance in this group.
Calvary Fellowship Church - Barnabas Group
http://www.calvary-fellowship.org/cgi
95 West Devon Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 363-7171

Meet: 6:30 am to 7:30 am most Mondays  in/gx.cgi/AppLogic+FTContentServer?pagename=FaithHighway/10000/8000/579CA/prayer&projectid=18579 
Contact: BarnabasGroup@hotmail.com
Glenn Clark at 302-765-6001

C3N (Christ Centered Career Network)
(www.LCBCchurch.com)

Lancaster County Bible Church
2392 Mount Joy Road, Manheim, PA 17545
Meet: Monday evenings at 7 pm (except Holidays)
Contact: Mr. Paul Jaspers at pauljaspers@lcbcmail.com
http://www.lcbcchurch.com/careernetwork/
A regional ministry focused on assisting career explorers to trust in the Lord for direction and guidance in their job search. Fort these networking meetings we invite employers and have excellent speakers.
 All other Monday evenings we host a support meeting focused on assisting the career explorer. We are a member of the Crossroads Career® Network (www.crossroadscareer.org), an association of member churches with ministries to help career explorers discover God's calling, find or create the right job, and grow in Christ. Crossroads Career® Network does this by providing member churches a complete set of proven career ministry resources — everything needed to design a ministry and equip ministry volunteers to help people through career crossroads.

Employment Support Group (ESG)
calvarywilmington.org
Meet:. EVERY Tuesday MORNING 8-9:30am.
CALVARY ASSEMBLY, 2600 SHIPLEY RD, WILMINGTON DE 19810.
 Come early and enjoy Marcia’s “Breakfast Delights.”
 
First Presbyterian Church - Unemployment Support Group
Fifth and Race Sts, Perkasie, PA
Meet: 11 a.m. Thursdays
This group is provides an opportunity for those who are currently unemployed to find support, encouragement, and help in their search for a new job. This means equipping them with the tools needed to rightly assess their present situation and prepare them for their next job. We will do this in the light of the counsel provided in Scripture, which we believe to be the Word of God that points us to Jesus Christ." Our group has been highlighted by front page articles in the Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times, which you can read by going to http://www.phillyburbs.com/news
Contact: Rev. Richard Scott MacLaren at 215-257-2956

First Presbyterian Church - Unemployment Support Group
www.firstpreswc.com/unemployment-support-group.
130 West Miner Street, West Chester, PA
Meet: Support group meets bi-weekly from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m to learn tips and techniques related to job searches.
Contact:  Elisabeth Hartwell at ehartwell@firstpreswc.com, at (610) 696-0554

Good Samaritan (Episcopal) Church
http://www.good-samaritan.org/
Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA
Grace Point & Addisville Reformed Church -Between Doors
(http://www.gracepointpa.org/betweendoors)
592 Washington Crossing Rd , Newtown, PA 18940
Meet: Monthly - starting promptly at 8:00 AM, light breakfast at 7:30 AM -
Between Doors is a ministry for those who are underemployed or pre-employed. We exist to prepare, train, and mentor those who are asking the hard questions when they suddenly find themselves out of work, or suddenly underemployed. We help with: Job Search, Interviewing, Benefits, Finances, and Faith - all centered around HOPE! Group and individual coaching available.
Contact:  betweenDoors@gmail.com or 215.968.2354

Har Zion Temple: S.H.A.R.E.- Support Help Assistance Resources = Employment
(formerly BAI Cares)  Har Zion Temple,
1500 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley, PA 19072

Meet: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:30pm – 9/9:30pm
Mission: To be a caring resource and support network for those in our community who are seeking employment
(unemployed or are concerned about their employment status) due to the economic downturn.
Contact: Sharon Richman sir4531@gmail.com 610-453-1803  adamwish23@gmail.com 215-882-4312

 Hopewell Christian Fellowship
www.hopewellchurch.org
2286 Hopewell Rd, Elverson, PA 19520
610-286-6308
Meet: Every Monday for 8 weeks 7 - 9 PM
http://www.crossroadscareer.org/ce/ce-career-tools-find-church-details.php?chID=1182
 Weekly meetings for anyone who is seeking career direction, job change or God’s calling. Meetings include a presentation on one of the six steps of "How To Walk Through a Crossroads in your Career™," a career professional speaking on a job search or career change topic; and informal networking with other career explorers.
Contact:  Mr. Jon Spahr at jpspahr@gmail.com
 
Jarrettown Professional Relationships Network (Linked-In)
http://JPRN.jarrettownchurch.org
Jarrettown United Methodist Church
1460 Limekiln Pike ,Dresher, PA 19025
Contact: tom.tyree@verizon.net
 
JOSEPH'S People, Ltd. (See their main site for full & extensive details)
www.josephspeople.org 610-873-7117Email: JPCheryl@verizon.net 
Joseph’s People, Ltd. is a 501 ©(3) non-profit corporation, founded at St. Joseph’s Church in Downingtown, PA in 1995 to serve the unemployed and underemployed people in our community.
 Berks County
Joseph's People -READING
Employment Workshop St Catharine's of Siena - Parish Center
2427 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, Pa 19601
Call 610-779-4005 Leave Message for John Senick, Leader
Email: jsenick@ptd.net
Meeting 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month 7-8:30 PM
 
Chester County
Joseph's People – Downingtown
St. Joseph Parish – 460 Manor Avenue (Route 322)
Parish Meeting Room behind the school
Call 610 873-7117 Leave Message
Email: JPCheryl@verizon.net
Leader: Cheryl Spaulding
Meets 2nd & 4th Tues. of the mo. at 7:30 PM
 
Joseph's People – Eagle
St. Elizabeth Parish - 120 St. Elizabeth Drive, Uwchlan, PA 19425
Call 610-873-7117 Leave Message
Leader: Dave Bolz Email: david.bolz@verizon.net
Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Mon. of each mo. 7-8:30p.m.
(in the Creative Learning Center)
 
Joseph's People - West Grove
Assumption BVM Parish, 300 State Road, West Grove, PA 19380
Leader:John Colgan Call 610-873-7117 Leave Message
Email:John Colgan johnfcolgan@gmail.com
Meets once a month at 7 PM. Call for dates.
 
Joseph's People – Berwyn/Mainline
St. Monica/Parish Center , Faculty Lounge or Hagenbach Room.
601 First Avenue , Berwyn, PA 19312
Call Bob Schubert 610.755.2398
Email: BobSchubertJr@aim.com
Meets 1st & 3rd  Thursdays of the mo. 7-9 PM.
 
Delaware County
 
GetWorks - Media Presbyterian Church
30 E. Baltimore Avenue, Media, PA 19063
Call 610-873-7117 Leave Message
Email:  getworks@comcast.net
Leader: Sue Kaiden  Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month
Hassler Chapel @ Media Presb. 7-8:30 pm  and
 
Employment Network -  St. Mary Magdalen
2400 N. Providence Road, Media, PA 19063
Leaders: Barb & Paul Stoyell-Mullholland
For information Contact: smmemploy@gmail.com
by email: or call the Hotline 610.873.7117
 
Joseph's People– Aldan
Career Crossroads Aldan Union Church –7 East Providence Road, Aldan PA 19018
Call 610-259-8010 (Church Phone)
Leader: Dan Willard
Email: wdwillard@verizon.net
Meeting in Conference Room 119 Use office entrance off parking lot
Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month  @ 7PM
 
Joseph's People – ST. FRANCIS
St. Francis Church - Del. County
Parish Rectory 136 Saxer Ave Springfield, PA 19064
Art McGuire, Chapter Leader
Meets every Third Tuesday at 7 P.M.
610-873-7117
 
Montgomery County
Joseph's People – Hatfield
Joseph People Chapter Meeting
St. Maria Goretti Parish - 1601 Derstine Rd, Hatfield
Parish Center Library
1st and 3rd Thursday of each month @ 7:30pm
Leaders: Nancy Cocks
Contact: 610 -873-7117
Email: Nancy Cocks jlcmba@verizon.net
Joseph's People, Ltd.
www.josephspeople.org 610-873-7117

Main Line Unitarian Church
816 South Valley Forge Road, Devon PA, 19333-1825
610-688-8332

Note: They have hosted Career workshops for Women in coordination with the Women's Resource Center in Wayne.
Media Presbyterian Church - (Get Works)
www.mediapresbyterian.org
Media, PA
See: Joseph's People

New London Presbyterian - Weathering the Storm Group
www.nlpcfamily.com
New London Presbyterian Church/Christian Life Center
125 Saginaw Rd.,New London Township, PA 19352
610-869-2140 -

http://www.nlpcfamily.com/NLPC-Web/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=170 
Contact: Beth McDonough - mcdono@verizon.net ,302-893-3944 (mobile)

The Networking Group at NPC
Newtown Presbyterian Church
25 Chancellor St.
Newtown, PA 18940

Meet: First and third Thursdays of the month.
Everyone is welcome. This is a non-sectarian group " run by people who have "been there".
Each meeting features a speaker on an area of job search.
Contact: Dan Bello - 215-962-7032

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
235 E State St, Doylestown, PA 18901-4770
(215) 348-4190

St. David's Employment Guidance Ministry
http://www.stdavidschurch.org/pastoralcare/index.php?arr1=0,6&itemid=6
St. David’s Episcopal Church
763 South Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA 19087
Evening meetings that focus on a specific topic of interest to people in career/job transition and offer them as one-time events. An example is the session we had on the Internet, run by an expert on that topic. It was well-attended and well-received. If you have suggestions of topics that would interest you. Employment Guidance by appointment:
Call the church office, 610.688.7947 or
Contact: George Vosburgh at gbvosburgh@aol.com
 
United Methodist Church of the Resurection
ctministries@umcr.org.
181 Sharp Lane, Exton, PA
Meet: Career Transition Group meets from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month (UMCR).
Assistance includes one-on-one confidential mentoring with volunteer career counselors, resume writing, interview coaching, networking, and a prayer partner.
Contact: Danny Van Deventer at (610) 458-8143 or (205) 914-5004
 
Wayne Presbyterian Church Career Networking Group-
 http://www.waynepres.org
125 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne PA 19087
 610-688-8700
Meet:  Monday 7:30-9:00
Online discussion and announcements Group affiliated with Work Ministry (www.workministry.com) Work Ministry builds social networks of job seekers by assisting faith-based and community organizations in developing Job Support Groups and connecting groups with Employers.
Contact: Frank tait@yahoo.com
 finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/WaynePres-Jobs

Unconfirmed - Possible Group at
Berwyn Presbyterian Church

Section II: Additional Career Groups

The Business Executive Networking Group
www.thebeng,org
St. Phillip & James Church, Exton, PA
Meet: The 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 pm

40 Plus of Philadelphia (PA)
40 Plus is the Nation’s oldest non-profit organization dedicated to helping currently available managers,
executives and other professionals over 40 years of age find jobs.

Jewish Employment and Vocational Service
Not-for-profit and non-sectarian,
Greater Philadelphia, PA

Jobs for Life -Philadelphia Access Center
www.philaccess.org
1832 South 11th Street, Philadelphia PA 19148
Phone: (215) 389-1985
The Jobs for Life training course consists of 16 sessions, combining instruction in principles of work and job readiness skills. Besides the training, each Jobs for Life student is matched with a champion - a mentor or a group of mentors - who provides the student the support needed through the class and the first year of his or her employment.
 The Philadelphia Access Center is one of about fifty Jobs for Life sites across the country, with more being added all the time. Jobs for Life (www.jobsforlife.com) pursues its mission and vision by mobilizing churches and community-based organizations as Jobs for Life sites, each equipped with all the tools and processes necessary to provide job training and support to our country’s neediest citizens, lifting them from dependency to self-sufficiency.

Job Club
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/leta/site/default.asp
Lancaster Employment & Training Agency (LETA)
1016 N. Charlotte St., Lancaster PA
Phone: 717-397-4159

Meet: Resume Workshop, Fridays 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Regular Job Search seminars, on interviewing, networking, negotiating and cover letter and resume assistance.
Contact: showaltt@co.lancaster.pa.us

Meetup.com
This web site hosts a variety of groups including several local career groups.

MY Career Transitions
 www.mycareertransitions.com
Meet: 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:45 AM. (register on website). Meetings fill up quickly , with nearly 100 attendees. All meetings are free. Meet at Penn State Great Valley
 Career Transitions provides a forum for those who are in the midst of a job search, or who are contemplating a job change. Programs and meetings provide information on career planning and job search tools, sharing job leads, building a professional network and mutual support.  
Contact:  E-mail contacts from their web site.

The Philadelphia Career Connection
www.meetup.com/The-Philadelphia-Career-Connection
This is a relatively new group with attendance under 50.
Meet: Plymouth Meeting on Mondays at 6:00 p.m
Contact: Rick Tashman

Women’s Resource Center (Wayne, PA)
Career Guidance
Contact: Career Services Program Coordinator Call WRC to register: 610-687-6391 /www.womensresourcecenter.net/programs/careerservices.html
 Women who have been downsized, laid off, or are new to the area can take advantage of the opportunity to expand their network in an informal setting. Perfect for those who have prior work experience and experience searching for employment, participants in this group receive assistance in improving their job searches and come away with the tools needed to successfully navigate a tough job market.
 The Women’s Resource Center also offers brief free Individual Career Consultations on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month (7-8:30 pm). Come in for a 30-minute one-on-one consultation in their office in Wayne (113 West Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087). Professional career counselors can help with one issue - (ex. critique your resume, do a mock interview, help you figure out where to look for jobs or counsel you on your career path). Call to register.
 
Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group
 http://www.meetup.com/Philadelphia-Area-Great-Careers-Group

This group is run by well-known career experts, Eric Kramer and Ford Myers.
They also encourage members to establish supportive sub-groups to provide support to foster creation of these groups. These groups are on meet-up.com.
Meet: Primarily meets monthly at Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, Pa 19085.
Typical fee $15.

Section III: Additional Resources

JOB SEEKER RESOURCES (Link to extensive information
managed by My Career Transitions Group)
 
Free Chester County Resource Guide for the Unemployed and Underemployed :
A Road to Employment initiative from the Chester County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) provides additional services for the unemployed and underemployed. See also the HIRONE initiative by the Economic Development Council.
www.chesco.org/JobSeekerToolkit.

Philadelphia Business Journal - http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/jobs/
They list professional meetings and have industry information to learn which firms are growing.
Greater Philadelphia Alliance of Colleges and Universities
www.phillycolleges.org
Information on adult and graduate programs at 20+ local academic institutions.
Jobhunt.org.
List of PA resources http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs/pennsylvania.shtml
 

Section IV: Specialized Associations

ATD – aka American Society for Training and Development
www.astdphl.org
 Members can post your resume and view job listings; national and local chapters. Meets monthly downtown and occasionally in Wilmington, DE. Sub-groups meet across the Delaware Valley, including the consultants group which is open to non-member attendees. Contact Jennifer Kennedy regarding transitions group.

Biology & Other Sciences:
 BioNJ
www.bionj.org

Chem Pharma
www.chempharma.net
The transition sub-group meets monthly on Friday morning at Villanova University.
$1.00 per meeting. Registration requested.
Contact: Michael Chiampanelli of Tom Smith - tsmith493@comcast.net

Delaware BioScience Association
www.delawarebio.org
FENG
An organization of senior financial executives with the common desire to stay networked for career purposes. The group is a 30,000 plus national email group with local chapters around the country. There is a website for members, a nightly newsletter with job search tips and a large member directory. 
To join FENG national, go to http://www.thefeng.org/application.asp?apptype=m and
fill out the application and attach an electronic copy of your resume.

Healthcare Business Women's Association
events:
Must be a member to attend. Meetings are held at various corporate sites.
They hold a monthly Women in Transition Group
 
PA Bio
www.pennsylvaniabio.org
Association For Corporate Growth
http://www.acg.org/AboutACG/tabid/70/Default.aspx
Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth, Inc. (www.acg.org) is the premier global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions.
TENG - Technical Executives Network Group.
 www.theteng.org
This is an organization of technical and IT people.
To join contact Ed Pospesil, Chairman

TPNG - Technology Professionals Networking Group
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/phillyleads/
TPNG is an on-going business resource, where Information Technology Professionals share business contacts, technology resources, career information, suggestions and support with one another. TPNG members thrive through generosity and camaraderie.
Membership criteria are that you have been an IT professional for at least 8 years and are interested in actively networking with other IT professionals. Membership is FREE and you will be expected to contribute by providing job leads, networking assistance and participating in meetings. If you are interested in joining TPNG, please send an email message to our membership coordinator at: phillytpngmembership@yahoo.com. Attach your resume and let us know who referred you or how you heard about TPNG.
 There is a TPNG LinkedIn group which is open to all TPNG members. You will receive an invite within a week or two of your acceptance into TPNG.  TPNG is associated with the Technology Executives Networking Group (TENG), a national organization. Philadelphia area members are automatically accepted into TPNG and granted a subscription to this PHILLYLEADS Yahoo group.

Contact: phillytpngmembership@yahoo.com

New Group 2012 Meeting for IT Professionals at Drexel
 Human Resources:
Chester County Human Resources Association
 http://cchrassn.shrm.org
Meets monthly meetings in Exton
HR Networking (transition) Group meets on 2nd Tuesday of each month at Patricia Schultz’s office in Exton – its free
Delaware SHRM
 Transitions group - Contact: George Barber
Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association
 www.gvfhra.org
Meet: Monthly on Tuesdays for networking meetings in King of Prussia area.
HR (transition)  Networking Group meets on 1st Monday of each month. – on website click on events (its free) , post resume and search for jobs, Free membership to main group  for those in transition.
Philadelphia Human Resource Planning Society
 www.phrps.com
Network of HR professionals working as business partners; Requests invitation or membership and offers mentoring program. Yearly Leadership seminar, open to all.
 
Philadelphia SHRM
www.phillyshrm.org
Can post your resume and have HR job listings.
 
Whine and Dine
www.whineanddine.org
HR Networking group meets monthly for networking (not just people in transition) – dates change each month, please check with website. Can sign up for Yahoo! or Facebook group to get job leads 

Primarily the information shared here was gathered by
the volunteers of Jump Start Your Job Search and is now
hosted on-line by  Villanova University College Outreach
(Connecting you to Villanova programs, people and resources)

 www.villanova.edu/enroll/office/outreach
 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085-1690