Coalition to help industry job-seekers

TAMPA - A new non-profit organization in Hillsborough County is being formed to help unemployed real estate professionals and staff affected by the industry downturn to find counseling, retraining and job placement opportunities.

The group is seeking information from employers about job openings that can be added to the group’s rapidly growing job bank.

Real Estate Lives was formed in November when a group in the industry became concerned about their friends, family and former colleagues who were being laid off and otherwise impacted by the real estate recession.

“We want to do what we can to help our friends and fellow real estate professionals and staff to get back on their feet,” said Ron Weaver, one of the initial founders of Real Estate Lives and a land use attorney with Stearns Weaver Miller in Tampa.

Dozens have already signed on to help launch the leadership core team, including current and former local chapter presidents of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), and the League of Women Voters. Local support agencies including Hillsborough Community College, United Way, the Tampa Bay Workforce Board Alliance and SunTrust have also agreed to provide guidance for the group.

If you would like to volunteer - or have jobs to offer the job bank - contact Weaver at rweaver@swmwas.com or Elaine Kennedy of GVA Advantis at ekennedy@gvaadvantis.com.

Real Estate Lives will launch a Web site - www.Realestatelives.org - as the resource for those in need and those who can help. The site will offer useful links, job offerings, scheduled programs and direct connections to the people and groups that are coordinating the effort. The project is being led by Brenda Dohring Hicks, CEO, The Dohring Group/Real Wired Inc.

Meanwhile, the organization is assessing the current needs of the people it intends to help, screening opportunities for immediate job placements and connecting those in need with those that can help. Pam Winchester of Focus Real Estate Services is receiving requests and offers of social services at pwinchester@focusreservices.com.