but no offers yet.

Did you do anything differently, or has the job market just improved a bit?

by younger folk.

suggestions as to some local agency that could help.

It's been about a year for me now... no way I could last another four without help from my parents. The hardest thing about it is dealing with the shame - I'm still young, at 28, but there are precious few jobs in my area, so it's financial aid through school and mom and dad. It's not that I can't work, it's that there's no work to be had, the few jobs that come up that I might qualify for are quickly pounced on by dozens of people, most of them younger, stronger, or more experienced than I am.

Regarding transportation - are there cab companies in the area? Some times they'll work out long term arrangements that will save you a significant amount of money. How about car pooling? Maybe offer to pay a bit for gas if a neighbor or someone living nearby will let you ride in with them. Asking the local churches (as another mentioned) for ideas might help as well.

Hope everything works out for you. Congrats and good luck.

...for doing what you need to to survive. But PLEASE don't feel ashamed. I have all three of my kids, early to mid-twenties, back home, and glad for it. They get jobs, but when there's a slowdown in the economy, or just fear of one, they are usually the first to be laid off. I know very few young people who truly want to be back home. Family is who you turn to when times are tough, so hang in there, DtG, and get that chin up. It will get better.

Cheap/free cars. Donated or bought wholesale, maybe fixed up.

Thanks for this info.

http://www.goodnewsgarage.org/

They were looking for someone to evaluate cars, broker repairs. and the like. It's been quite a while since I hustled iron for Fast Eddie - I'm sure they found someone good with a more relevant recent experience.

Lady Luck is smiling down on you!!!

Often, there is a car that is not needed, but that is functional. Someone might loan it to you until you can find one of your own. If you belong to a church, that's another possible source. Ask, and you shall receive.

I realize you may not have one, or that they may not have any suggestions, but it's worth a phone call. Just dial 211 and tell them your situation.

I live in Raleigh, NC and there is an organization here "Wheels for Hope" that provides transportation for people getting on their feet (free).

I tried to Google for similar organizations where you are but my connection is wonky.

Such programs exist, so it may be worth you Googling or making that 211 call.

People have made good transportation suggestions already, but here are a few more.

* Post to your local Craigslist asking about carpools to town, and/or offering to pay gas plus some extra for rides to and from work.
* Do you have any friends or relatives in the vicinity who would be willing/able to rent or loan you a car until you've earned enough to get one on your own? (I'm assuming you'll want of your own some time soon to get to work.)
* While you're probably pretty strapped after five years and can't afford the car you'd like, maybe you could get a cheap short-term clunker. You could go to a no-money-down used-car shop (bring your job-offer letter?), or post your situation to your local Craigslist, and see what pay-by-the-month options may be available. If at all possible, it's worth taking such a vehicle to your mechanic first to make sure it has nothing dangerously wrong or on the verge of failing.

Congratulations again, and good luck to you!

I hope you find the right job!

and am being headhunted like crazy again. It's a good feeling.

"Trying to stay off the government dole," as you put it.

If you did it because your vehicle was too valuable to allow you to get food stamps or any sort of government assistance, it's one thing. If you sold it because of some sort of rhetoric from the right-wing about how you didn't deserve it, then you made a very bad decision, allowing brainwashing to steer your decisions.

I'm just saying folks, to anyone who reads this, don't let them convince you to screw yourself because you are trying to demonstrate some sort of ridiculous slogan isn't true in your case. Take the help--it's a good thing, it is designed for exactly your situation, and if you do have to sell your vehicle because it's worth $20,000 or something, and they won't give you aid, then make sure and buy a used one for the value you are allowed, and use some of the extra money to assure it is in good shape.

If none of this is true, sorry about your plight, and I'm glad things are looking up for you. But no one should feel bad about falling on hard times, when our system is designed to put people on hard times, especially after you've got 50 years.

That was three years ago. I had to move in with my elderly mother 2 years ago as I was the only one of my family unemployed and able to do alot of the heavy lifting for her. I was getting food stamps until I could not make the 20+ round trip walking. And I tried to hitchhike but....let's just say I had some very scarey experiences and put myself in harm's way. No more hitchhiking for me.

Like good will, only it is called youth ranch, people donate old cars and they are out on a lot. I wonder if there is some place like that to assist workers?

Maybe you qualify for a voucher of some sort?

As someone said above maybe a church? Maybe good-will?

Best of luck. Ask around.

are finally looking up. Even the early Spring sun is out today after days and weeks of snow.