VIRGINIA BEACH -- "You get to a point where you start to panic, 'cause it has been over a year now, " says Theresa Capers who has been unemployed since October, 2008. She's among more than a quarter million Virginians who find themselves without jobs this holiday season.
"Christmas, this year, was on credit," Capers tells 13News, "whereas, in the past, I've been able to save up money and have a little Christmas Club fund and buy out of that." She explains, "With having five young grandchildren, you know, you try to make the best for them, even though I don't have it. I've sold things on craigslist just to, you know, make extra money."
Currently on her second unemployment benefits extension, Capers says her lack of a job isn't for lack of trying. With more than 25 years of experience in accounting, she was quick to get resumes out. So far, there have been no takers that would make use of her background. As that effort failed, she began applying for all sorts of jobs, including an assistant in a veterinarians office and a food server.
"The waitress, you know, I figured I could pick up a waitress job anywhere. Not the case," says Capers. She continues, "When you do read an ad, they say what the pay is, and I'm willing to take a job at whatever they offer, but I just don't even get the responses."
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, nationally, 15.4 million Americans were jobless in November. In December, 2007, when the recession started, the figure was 7.5 million. Virginia's unemployment rate stands at 6.6 percent, below the country's average of 10 percent.
"It wrenches my stomach, because I know what I've been going through, what kind of jobs I've been applying for," Capers says. "When you're making $20-$25 an hour, and willing to take a $10 an hour job, and I'm not getting calls back for that, it's very frustrating."
With time running out for her to collect unemployment benefits and options are running low, Capers recognizes she has some advantages, using a volunteer experience at Union Mission in Norfolk this week to illustrate.
"There are so many people unemployed coming to pick up gifts, coming to pick up food," Capers notes. "It really tugged at my heartstrings, and, you know, made me think at least I have a roof over my head, and I can provide for my grandchildren."
