is made possible
is made possible by contributions to your PBS
is made possible by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.
by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.
Thank you.
station from viewers like you.
Thank you.
With major funding from
Thank you.
With major funding from the John D. and Catherine
With major funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Committed to building a more
T. MacArthur Foundation.
Committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful
Committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful world.
just, verdant and peaceful world.
With additional funding from
world.
With additional funding from the Park Foundation.
With additional funding from the Park Foundation.
Committed to raising public
the Park Foundation.
Committed to raising public awareness.
>> NARRATOR: The Upper East Side
>> NARRATOR: The Upper East Side is one of the most affluent and
>> NARRATOR: The Upper East Side is one of the most affluent and powerful neighborhoods in
is one of the most affluent and powerful neighborhoods in America.
powerful neighborhoods in America.
Even to New Yorkers, it seems
America.
Even to New Yorkers, it seems special-- a world apart of
Even to New Yorkers, it seems special-- a world apart of privilege and security.
One day, walking across Park and
One day, walking across Park and Madison Avenues, I reflected on
One day, walking across Park and Madison Avenues, I reflected on how far away the country's
Madison Avenues, I reflected on how far away the country's economic troubles seemed to be
how far away the country's economic troubles seemed to be from these streets.
economic troubles seemed to be from these streets.
from these streets.
from these streets.
from these streets.
Then, I arrived at my hair
from these streets.
Then, I arrived at my hair salon, a place I've been going
Then, I arrived at my hair salon, a place I've been going to for many years.
salon, a place I've been going to for many years. )
to for many years. )
>> Deborah Hair Design.
)
>> Deborah Hair Design.
Can I help you?
>> Deborah Hair Design.
Can I help you?
Okay, when do you want an
Can I help you?
Okay, when do you want an appointment for?
Okay, when do you want an appointment for?
>> NARRATOR: I shared my
appointment for?
>> NARRATOR: I shared my thoughts with Deborah.
>> NARRATOR: I shared my thoughts with Deborah.
She gave me a wry smile.
thoughts with Deborah.
She gave me a wry smile.
"You might see things
She gave me a wry smile.
"You might see things differently," she said, "if you
"You might see things differently," she said, "if you stay here with me and listen."
differently," she said, "if you stay here with me and listen."
>> How's the boyfriend?
stay here with me and listen."
>> How's the boyfriend?
>> We actually... we broke up.
>> How's the boyfriend?
>> We actually... we broke up.
>> Oh.
>> We actually... we broke up.
>> Oh.
>> Yeah, because...
>> Oh.
>> Yeah, because... >> Is that because he couldn't
>> Yeah, because... >> Is that because he couldn't find work and had to go home?
>> Is that because he couldn't find work and had to go home?
>> He couldn't find work and he
find work and had to go home?
>> He couldn't find work and he had to go home.
>> He couldn't find work and he had to go home.
Yeah, it doesn't seem real, you
had to go home.
Yeah, it doesn't seem real, you know.
Yeah, it doesn't seem real, you know.
>> It's not supposed to happen
know.
>> It's not supposed to happen that way.
>> It's not supposed to happen that way.
>> I know it, I know it.
that way.
>> I know it, I know it.
>> So you pick up an extra
>> I know it, I know it.
>> So you pick up an extra class, or you try to get a
>> So you pick up an extra class, or you try to get a couple extra hours at work
class, or you try to get a couple extra hours at work because your rent keeps going
couple extra hours at work because your rent keeps going up, but your paycheck's not.
because your rent keeps going up, but your paycheck's not.
>> Every day, every one of my
up, but your paycheck's not.
>> Every day, every one of my clients sit in my chair and talk
>> Every day, every one of my clients sit in my chair and talk about the economy.
clients sit in my chair and talk about the economy.
>> We lost a deal in Miami,
about the economy.
>> We lost a deal in Miami, which was not so good.
>> We lost a deal in Miami, which was not so good.
>> We don't have a lot of money.
which was not so good.
>> We don't have a lot of money.
I don't know how else to put it.
>> We don't have a lot of money.
I don't know how else to put it.
>> Last week, I had an
I don't know how else to put it.
>> Last week, I had an unemployment check and two
>> Last week, I had an unemployment check and two notices of foreclosure from two
unemployment check and two notices of foreclosure from two different banks on my home.
notices of foreclosure from two different banks on my home. )
different banks on my home. )
)
) ) >> Somebody's willing to listen.
)
>> Somebody's willing to listen.
Somebody's willing to hear the
>> Somebody's willing to listen.
Somebody's willing to hear the problems that they're facing
Somebody's willing to hear the problems that they're facing because of this economic crisis.
problems that they're facing because of this economic crisis.
>> NARRATOR: So, we asked
because of this economic crisis.
>> NARRATOR: So, we asked Deborah if we could come back to
>> NARRATOR: So, we asked Deborah if we could come back to her salon to listen some more.
>> Hey, Bets.
>> Hey, Bets.
How you doing?
How you doing?
>> Fine, thanks.
>> Fine, thanks.
Hi.
Hi.
>> You can go hang up your coat.
>> You can go hang up your coat.
Be with you in two secs, okay?
Be with you in two secs, okay?
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
>> NARRATOR: Deborah agreed to
>> NARRATOR: Deborah agreed to let us spend a week with her at
let us spend a week with her at the salon.
the salon.
>> Lori, you good?
>> Lori, you good?
You need tea, coffee, or some
You need tea, coffee, or some cold water?
cold water?
>> No, I'm fine.
>> No, I'm fine.
>> It's a little too early for
>> It's a little too early for wine, but...
wine, but...
So, you good?
So, you good?
All right.
All right.
So sit and relax.
So sit and relax. )
) >> Hi, how are you?
>> Hi, how are you?
>> NARRATOR: Barbara, Deborah's
>> NARRATOR: Barbara, Deborah's sister, was answering the
sister, was answering the phones.
phones.
>> Wednesday at 3:00?
>> Wednesday at 3:00?
That good?
That good?
>> NARRATOR: Fatima, the
>> NARRATOR: Fatima, the assistant, was washing hair.
assistant, was washing hair.
And Deborah tended to her
And Deborah tended to her customers, while I listened.
customers, while I listened.
>> So, how you doing?
>> So, how you doing?
>> Great.
>> Great.
>> Good, everything's good?
>> Good, everything's good?
>> Yeah, it's been a good week.
>> Yeah, it's been a good week.
>> Sharon, when you say "good,"
>> Sharon, when you say "good," it's really, really good or hmm?
it's really, really good or hmm?
>> You know...
>> You know... >> How is it actually going, in
>> How is it actually going, in other words?
other words?
Now that we did the
Now that we did the pleasantries.
pleasantries.
>> Okay, now that we did the
>> Okay, now that we did the pleasantries.
pleasantries.
You know, the whole thing is
You know, the whole thing is this-- why complain?
this-- why complain?
Because everybody else is, too,
Because everybody else is, too, you know.
you know.
It's sort of like why should I
It's sort of like why should I complain, I know the fellow next
complain, I know the fellow next to me is losing his job.
to me is losing his job.
But, I mean, if you said, "All
But, I mean, if you said, "All right, well, what was it like
right, well, what was it like last year at this time?"
last year at this time?"
It was a different story.
It was a different story.
We had just been... taken
We had just been... taken several trips, and we had this
several trips, and we had this to look forward to and that to
to look forward to and that to look forward to.
look forward to.
And now-- we talked last night
And now-- we talked last night about it-- we're not so sure
about it-- we're not so sure we're going to be able to take
we're going to be able to take any trips.
any trips.
>> NARRATOR: Sharon is a retired
>> NARRATOR: Sharon is a retired flight attendant.
flight attendant.
Her husband is a salesman whose
Her husband is a salesman whose income dropped in half.
income dropped in half.
She says that, now, they must
She says that, now, they must count on her pension and Social
count on her pension and Social Security.
Security.
>> My husband used to be able to
>> My husband used to be able to cover all our expenses.
cover all our expenses.
That doesn't work that way
That doesn't work that way anymore.
anymore.
Now, he can't afford to... to
Now, he can't afford to... to cover all of our expenses.
cover all of our expenses.
And so, I have to cover mostly
And so, I have to cover mostly everything.
everything.
So, I'm paying for about 90% of
So, I'm paying for about 90% of everything, and that's really
everything, and that's really stretching things.
stretching things.
I mean, it's just a matter of...
I mean, it's just a matter of... a lot of doctor bills that are
a lot of doctor bills that are not able...
I'm not able to
not able...
I'm not able to cover and I... and I'm having to
cover and I... and I'm having to say, "Look it, I'll...
I'll pay
say, "Look it, I'll...
I'll pay for it when I can.
for it when I can.
Believe me, I know you're there,
Believe me, I know you're there, but I can't pay them."
but I can't pay them."
>> Do you have a plan B?
>> Do you have a plan B?
>> Plan B?
>> Plan B?
No, our Plan B is just to keep
No, our Plan B is just to keep on...
on... >> This is plan B.
>> This is plan B.
>> Yeah, this is Plan B-- just
>> Yeah, this is Plan B-- just keep on keeping on.
keep on keeping on.
>> ... and C and D.
>> ... and C and D. >> And just, you know..
>> And just, you know.. We don't go to dinner anymore.
We don't go to dinner anymore.
We don't go out to dinner.
We don't go out to dinner.
>> We don't get a haircut every
>> We don't get a haircut every month.
month.
>> No, we certainly don't get a
>> No, we certainly don't get a haircut every month.
haircut every month.
I mean, I just lost my cell
I mean, I just lost my cell phone.
phone.
I'd like to rush up the street
I'd like to rush up the street and get another one.
and get another one.
I can't get another cell phone.
I can't get another cell phone.
>> I'm sorry.
>> I'm sorry.
>> That's out of the question
>> That's out of the question right now.
right now.
I'll miss it, but I don't know
I'll miss it, but I don't know where it is...
where it is... >> Give me one second, guys, I
>> Give me one second, guys, I just want to get her hair real
just want to get her hair real quick.
quick.
>> You know, you just know.
>> You know, you just know.
There is nothing expendable,
There is nothing expendable, there's just nothing expendable.
there's just nothing expendable.
It's not a matter of...
It's not a matter of... >> NARRATOR: No luxuries.
>> NARRATOR: No luxuries.
>> No, no, no, no.
>> No, no, no, no.
>> NARRATOR: There's no chance
>> NARRATOR: There's no chance of getting... or you don't even
of getting... or you don't even want another job?
want another job?
>> I'd love another job.
>> I'd love another job.
I mean, I really would love
I mean, I really would love another job.
another job.
But, I mean, there are a lot of
But, I mean, there are a lot of people in this company... or
people in this company... or country that would like another
country that would like another job.
job.
I mean, where am I going to find
I mean, where am I going to find another job?
>> NARRATOR: It didn't take me
>> NARRATOR: It didn't take me long, hanging out in the salon,
long, hanging out in the salon, to realize that the recession
to realize that the recession not only hits the pocketbook,
not only hits the pocketbook, but is also redefining family
but is also redefining family relations.
relations.
>> Hi.
>> Hi.
>> Hi, baby.
>> Hi, baby.
>> Say hi to your wife.
>> Say hi to your wife.
>> Hi, wife.
>> Hi, wife.
>> "Hi, wife."
>> "Hi, wife."
)
) >> What's doing with you?
>> What's doing with you?
>> I'm working hard.
>> I'm working hard.
>> NARRATOR: Emma and Andy are a
>> NARRATOR: Emma and Andy are a young couple with a small child.
young couple with a small child.
A few years ago, they opened a
A few years ago, they opened a personal training business with
personal training business with a good following.
a good following.
But now with the recession, they
But now with the recession, they have been losing clients.
have been losing clients.
>> And although we have a
>> And although we have a somewhat wealthy clientele and
somewhat wealthy clientele and they seemingly don't get as
they seemingly don't get as affected, there's still the
affected, there's still the psychology behind it.
psychology behind it.
So, we still lose business,
So, we still lose business, because people are starting to
because people are starting to cut back on things.
cut back on things.
So, we never know, week by week,
So, we never know, week by week, how things are going to be
how things are going to be financially.
financially.
We're making a lot less money
We're making a lot less money this year than we did last year
this year than we did last year or the year before.
or the year before.
So we don't know how to really
So we don't know how to really plan for our future.
plan for our future.
>> You know, my business is off
>> You know, my business is off about 40% to 50% now.
about 40% to 50% now.
And meanwhile, I feel like I
And meanwhile, I feel like I just can't... like, I can't get
just can't... like, I can't get on top of it.
on top of it.
>> NARRATOR: So they now count
>> NARRATOR: So they now count on their parents for help.
on their parents for help.
>> My mom is 60... 60, early
>> My mom is 60... 60, early 60s.
60s.
She probably wouldn't want me to
She probably wouldn't want me to tell you how old she is.
tell you how old she is.
But she's a grandma of five.
But she's a grandma of five.
She's got three daughters.
She's got three daughters.
And she retired.
And she retired.
But she's still... she's still
But she's still... she's still working, because she's helping
working, because she's helping us, financially, with our kids.
us, financially, with our kids.
>> NARRATOR: It makes you feel
>> NARRATOR: It makes you feel guilty?
guilty?
>> Of course, it makes me feel
>> Of course, it makes me feel guilty.
guilty.
She... she's worked her whole...
She... she's worked her whole...
I mean, she's worked her whole
I mean, she's worked her whole life.
life.
She gave me an education, both
She gave me an education, both my sisters an education.
my sisters an education.
I'm a Columbia University
I'm a Columbia University graduate.
graduate.
You know, I'm smart, I should be
You know, I'm smart, I should be able to completely stand on my
able to completely stand on my own two feet without my mother.
own two feet without my mother.
>> NARRATOR: ... At this stage
>> NARRATOR: ... At this stage of the game.
of the game.
>> Still...
I mean, I'm almost
>> Still...
I mean, I'm almost 40 years old-- why should my
40 years old-- why should my mother have to give me money?
mother have to give me money?
So, this is just... it's
So, this is just... it's embarrassing.
embarrassing.
I can't even believe I'm
I can't even believe I'm admitting to it.
admitting to it.
>> Yeah, that's the problem.
>> Yeah, that's the problem.
>> It's so embarrassing.
>> It's so embarrassing.
>> NARRATOR: Emma says she is
>> NARRATOR: Emma says she is now going back to business
now going back to business school in the hope that the new
school in the hope that the new skills will help their small
skills will help their small company.
company.
>> My mom still is in this
>> My mom still is in this illusion that she thinks I'm
illusion that she thinks I'm going back to school so that I
going back to school so that I could get a job, like get a real
could get a job, like get a real job kind of thing, like work for
job kind of thing, like work for a company.
a company.
And she's always talking about,
And she's always talking about, "Yes, you could get all the
"Yes, you could get all the benefits."
benefits."
>> NARRATOR: She doesn't
>> NARRATOR: She doesn't realize?
realize?
>> She doesn't... yeah, I think
>> She doesn't... yeah, I think she's still... you know, she's
she's still... you know, she's still maybe of that mindset, the
still maybe of that mindset, the generation where you work for a
generation where you work for a company...
company... She was working for a large...
She was working for a large... very large company and...
very large company and... >> Yeah, my mother worked for a
>> Yeah, my mother worked for a very large corporation, too.
very large corporation, too.
>> Well, the government.
>> Well, the government.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean, does that really
>> I mean, does that really exist anymore?
exist anymore?
Like, do I really go to school
Like, do I really go to school and then go out and try to find
and then go out and try to find a real job?
a real job?
And so, there's that pressure
And so, there's that pressure from the family that what we...
from the family that what we... what Andy and I do it's like
what Andy and I do it's like they... my mom sees it as
they... my mom sees it as very...
very... >> NARRATOR: Juvenile?
>> NARRATOR: Juvenile?
>> It's so funny-- why am I even
>> It's so funny-- why am I even talking about my mother?
talking about my mother?
I'm a woman who's, like, almost
I'm a woman who's, like, almost 40-years-old and I keep talking
40-years-old and I keep talking about my mother.
about my mother.
I feel like a child.
I feel like a child.
I do, I feel... you know, what I
I do, I feel... you know, what I feel like right now with this
feel like right now with this economy?
economy?
And it's like, I feel like a
And it's like, I feel like a child.
child.
We're like children.
We're like children. )
) >> Deborah Hair Design.
>> Deborah Hair Design.
Can I help you?
Can I help you?
>> It's not happening for
>> It's not happening for anybody...
anybody... >> NARRATOR: Laurie and Betsy
>> NARRATOR: Laurie and Betsy are both mothers and
are both mothers and grandmothers who have been
grandmothers who have been supporting their families.
supporting their families.
>> I've been doing an analysis
>> I've been doing an analysis of when am I going to run out of
of when am I going to run out of money...
money... >> Wow.
>> Wow.
>> And... and how many years.
>> And... and how many years.
And I just spent a whole lot of
And I just spent a whole lot of money taking care of my mother.
money taking care of my mother.
I was very generous with my
I was very generous with my family.
family.
I helped put... helped put
I helped put... helped put people through college, helped
people through college, helped keep people out of bankruptcy,
keep people out of bankruptcy, and you know, thinking that that
and you know, thinking that that cash was going to be
cash was going to be replenished.
replenished.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> That cash it not going to be
>> That cash it not going to be replenished.
replenished.
>> Hi, Trace.
>> Hi, Trace.
>> And how can I keep cutting
>> And how can I keep cutting back my spending?
back my spending?
>> We'll be with you in just a
>> We'll be with you in just a few minutes, okay?
few minutes, okay?
>> NARRATOR: According to
>> NARRATOR: According to Deborah, she has noticed a big
Deborah, she has noticed a big change in her clients in the
change in her clients in the last two years.
last two years.
>> I just see a lot of fear, a
>> I just see a lot of fear, a lot of sadness, a lot of
lot of sadness, a lot of concern.
concern.
You worked very, very hard, you
You worked very, very hard, you did everything you had to do,
did everything you had to do, and it's just been struggle
and it's just been struggle after struggle after struggle.
after struggle after struggle.
>> Oh, thank you.
>> Oh, thank you.
>> How you doing?
>> How you doing?
>> NARRATOR: Traci and her
>> NARRATOR: Traci and her husband struggled, and lost.
husband struggled, and lost.
>> What's doing, anything?
>> What's doing, anything?
>> Mm-mm.
>> Mm-mm.
Just trying to get... trying to
Just trying to get... trying to work.
work.
>> NARRATOR: I thought you had
>> NARRATOR: I thought you had a... a business?
a... a business?
>> Oh, gosh, that's a long
>> Oh, gosh, that's a long story.
story. )
) We thought we had a business.
We thought we had a business. )
) >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> And the recession is just so
>> And the recession is just so bad that, it's just mom and pop
bad that, it's just mom and pop stores can't stay open, you
stores can't stay open, you know?
know?
We had a coffee lounge called
We had a coffee lounge called The Grind in Sunnyside, Queens.
The Grind in Sunnyside, Queens.
And my husband pretty much ran
And my husband pretty much ran it, but I did all the finances
it, but I did all the finances and stuff.
and stuff.
We did a really good job.
We did a really good job.
We brought music to the
We brought music to the community.
community.
We brought standup comedy, open
We brought standup comedy, open mic, poetry jams, everything.
mic, poetry jams, everything.
We had someone playing during
We had someone playing during brunch time.
brunch time.
I mean, we did everything we
I mean, we did everything we could possibly do to keep it
could possibly do to keep it open and create a second home
open and create a second home for the community.
for the community.
And it just... it just didn't
And it just... it just didn't help, it didn't help.
help, it didn't help.
Everyone's suffering; they're
Everyone's suffering; they're not going to spend $4 for a
not going to spend $4 for a coffee.
coffee.
Any other time, it would have
Any other time, it would have been fine.
been fine.
It's just...
It's just... >> You would have at least had a
>> You would have at least had a shot.
shot.
>> We... yeah, we would have at
>> We... yeah, we would have at least had a chance.
least had a chance.
And we didn't have a shot at
And we didn't have a shot at all.
all.
It's just the recession just
It's just the recession just hit.
hit.
I think that was... that's
I think that was... that's what's upsetting is because my
what's upsetting is because my husband did everything he could
husband did everything he could do.
do.
We tried to do marketing, we
We tried to do marketing, we renovated the whole thing
renovated the whole thing ourselves.
ourselves.
We did everything ourselves.
We did everything ourselves.
And it just... it almost
And it just... it almost deflates your ego when something
deflates your ego when something like that happens, you know?
like that happens, you know?
And you just have all the burden
And you just have all the burden afterwards, and it's really not
afterwards, and it's really not your fault.
your fault.
You did... everything would have
You did... everything would have worked out if it was a different
worked out if it was a different time, you know?
>> NARRATOR: It has been six
>> NARRATOR: It has been six months since Mike and Traci had
months since Mike and Traci had to close their business.
to close their business.
Mike found a job as a salesman
Mike found a job as a salesman in a fitness center and has
in a fitness center and has taken over the cooking at home.
taken over the cooking at home.
>> To this day, we have all of
>> To this day, we have all of our to-go packages in our house.
our to-go packages in our house.
We got a coffee thing, so we now
We got a coffee thing, so we now make coffee and use the to-go
make coffee and use the to-go cups.
cups.
I mean ,we're making positive
I mean ,we're making positive out of it, you know.
out of it, you know.
That's good.
That's good.
>> NARRATOR: Do you feel bad
>> NARRATOR: Do you feel bad that the business failed?
that the business failed?
>> Oh, absolutely.
>> Oh, absolutely.
Failure.
Failure.
Big time.
Big time.
You know, over and over, I'm
You know, over and over, I'm like, "This is supposed to work.
like, "This is supposed to work.
Why is this not working?"
Why is this not working?"
You know, and we were using up
You know, and we were using up the money that she was earning
the money that she was earning to keep this thing going.
to keep this thing going.
So, it was kind of like, "I need
So, it was kind of like, "I need your check again this month.
your check again this month.
I need to pay this off this
I need to pay this off this month," so...
month," so... >> And it's just, I wasn't
>> And it's just, I wasn't earning enough, he wasn't
earning enough, he wasn't earning enough.
earning enough.
Nothing was coming in, so then
Nothing was coming in, so then it's just stressful.
it's just stressful.
And nothing... we lost fun for
And nothing... we lost fun for four years.
four years.
>> My mind was constantly on
>> My mind was constantly on that business to make it work.
that business to make it work.
>> And not on the marriage.
>> And not on the marriage.
>> And not on the marriage.
>> And not on the marriage.
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
The marriage was like a fifth or
The marriage was like a fifth or sixth down the line.
sixth down the line.
>> Great.
>> Great. )
) >> Maybe... maybe that far.
>> Maybe... maybe that far.
Because, it's such a...
I mean,
Because, it's such a...
I mean, personally, it was such a kick
personally, it was such a kick in the shin, because it's not
in the shin, because it's not working.
working.
And you could just see it not
And you could just see it not only deteriorate at the work,
only deteriorate at the work, but then you see it deteriorate
but then you see it deteriorate here at home.
here at home.
That it was getting to the point
That it was getting to the point where I was happy to be at the
where I was happy to be at the store.
store.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> Yeah, yeah.
And what's ironic is, he... the
And what's ironic is, he... the whole reason he wanted to do the
whole reason he wanted to do the coffee lounge was so that we
coffee lounge was so that we could have money coming in, we
could have money coming in, we could start a family, and calm
could start a family, and calm down and have more time
down and have more time together.
together.
And it's so ironic how it wasn't
And it's so ironic how it wasn't anything like that.
anything like that.
>> Nothing at all like that.
>> Nothing at all like that.
>> Because he was gone all the
>> Because he was gone all the time.
time.
We had no money, we never saw
We had no money, we never saw each other.
each other.
And kids-- whatever.
And kids-- whatever.
>> No way.
>> No way. )
) Not even...
Not even... >> Yeah, you know...
>> Yeah, you know... >> NARRATOR: They remain
>> NARRATOR: They remain $200,000 in debt.
$200,000 in debt.
Does the debt bother you?
Does the debt bother you?
>> Oh, every day.
>> Oh, every day.
Every day.
Every day.
Just having that financial
Just having that financial burden that has my name written
burden that has my name written all over it is something that I
all over it is something that I wake up with.
wake up with.
You know, a lot of our debt is
You know, a lot of our debt is on credit cards, so it's still
on credit cards, so it's still continuing.
continuing.
It's not done, because there's
It's not done, because there's interest compounding on that
interest compounding on that debt that we built up.
debt that we built up.
So, it's a race to get that
So, it's a race to get that credit card bill down because,
credit card bill down because, you know, every month we're
you know, every month we're still paying off of that, you
still paying off of that, you know, box of cups that we
know, box of cups that we bought.
bought.
>> But it's funny-- when you go
>> But it's funny-- when you go through these times, you start
through these times, you start taking care of yourself.
taking care of yourself.
You know that?
You know that?
Because I'm working out, I'm
Because I'm working out, I'm getting...
I'm doing...
I am
getting...
I'm doing...
I am getting a massage every once in
getting a massage every once in a while.
a while.
I'm getting my hair done.
I'm getting my hair done.
I'm doing things...
I'm doing things... >> Where do you get the money?
>> Where do you get the money?
>> I just charge it.
>> I just charge it.
>> Oh!
>> Oh! )
) You're already so deep in debt.
You're already so deep in debt.
>> No.
>> No.
But I pay it off.
But I pay it off.
I try to pay off my monthly,
I try to pay off my monthly, anyway.
anyway.
>> She's so deep in debt...
>> She's so deep in debt... >> Because I'm going to put four
>> Because I'm going to put four years of...
years of... >> NARRATOR: Traci is hardly the
>> NARRATOR: Traci is hardly the only client with credit card
only client with credit card debt.
debt.
Adam first came to Deborah 25
Adam first came to Deborah 25 years ago when he wanted to
years ago when he wanted to change his image.
change his image.
>> You know, you should have
>> You know, you should have kept a before and after picture
kept a before and after picture of that day when I came in here.
of that day when I came in here.
>> I know.
>> I know.
>> With that '80s style, what'd
>> With that '80s style, what'd you call that?
you call that?
What was that style?
What was that style?
>> The mullet?
>> The mullet?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. )
) >> Yep.
>> Yep.
That was very interesting.
That was very interesting.
>> Well, we... you know, listen,
>> Well, we... you know, listen, the whole... the whole community
the whole... the whole community fell into that.
fell into that.
I mean, it was a societal thing.
I mean, it was a societal thing.
>> Yeah, but a lot... but people
>> Yeah, but a lot... but people got out of it.
got out of it.
>> Yeah, I didn't get out of it.
>> Yeah, I didn't get out of it.
>> You didn't get out of it.
>> You didn't get out of it. )
) >> NARRATOR: Adam worked in real
>> NARRATOR: Adam worked in real estate in New York City, until
estate in New York City, until the business dried up.
the business dried up.
>> You know, it's interesting.
>> You know, it's interesting.
Now, I'm in the gym at 8:00 in
Now, I'm in the gym at 8:00 in the morning, obviously, rather
the morning, obviously, rather than at work.
than at work.
And everyone at the gym that I
And everyone at the gym that I meet is... they're either
meet is... they're either bouncers or they're unemployed
bouncers or they're unemployed financial people from Wall
financial people from Wall Street.
Street.
I met one girl who was a party
I met one girl who was a party planner-- lost all her
planner-- lost all her customers.
customers.
I met two people that were
I met two people that were financiers and bankers, and
financiers and bankers, and everyone's in the gym wondering
everyone's in the gym wondering what to do next.
what to do next.
And I tell them all the same
And I tell them all the same thing-- go get your Master's
thing-- go get your Master's degree.
degree.
>> NARRATOR: After he lost his
>> NARRATOR: After he lost his job, he became seriously ill,
job, he became seriously ill, and that led him to an
and that led him to an unexpected path-- to study
unexpected path-- to study theology.
theology.
>> I think God gave me another
>> I think God gave me another lease on life.
lease on life.
And I think going back to school
And I think going back to school and studying theology is going
and studying theology is going to really make a difference for
to really make a difference for a lot of people other than
a lot of people other than myself.
myself.
You know, business can be very
You know, business can be very selfish.
selfish.
And it can just serve immediate
And it can just serve immediate needs and wants.
needs and wants.
>> Answer me a question-- since
>> Answer me a question-- since you've just graduated from
you've just graduated from college, how'd you pay your way
college, how'd you pay your way through college?
through college?
>> Well, student loans and
>> Well, student loans and MasterCard.
MasterCard. )
) Let me tell you something.
Let me tell you something.
The first time I bought food on
The first time I bought food on MasterCard, that's when I knew--
MasterCard, that's when I knew-- "Oh, when the Pathmark went on
"Oh, when the Pathmark went on the credit card," I said, "You
the credit card," I said, "You know what?
know what?
You're in debt.
You're in debt.
>> "I'm in trouble."
>> "I'm in trouble."
>> Yeah, like, "You're in debt."
>> Yeah, like, "You're in debt."
And then the... and then...
And then the... and then... >> That's a major reality...
>> That's a major reality... that's when you know you're in
that's when you know you're in trouble.
trouble.
>> Yeah, especially when you're
>> Yeah, especially when you're doing it in Coney Island and the
doing it in Coney Island and the person in front of you is using
person in front of you is using their welfare card.
their welfare card.
>> Yeah, there you go.
>> Yeah, there you go.
>> And you say, "You know what?
>> And you say, "You know what?
I don't think there's much of a
I don't think there's much of a difference here."
difference here."
)
) >> Yeah, that's...
I don't know.
>> Yeah, that's...
I don't know.
>> We're both using the... some
>> We're both using the... some type of system to get by.
type of system to get by.
>> That's right.
>> That's right.
>> NARRATOR: Do you owe a lot of
>> NARRATOR: Do you owe a lot of money?
money?
>> I would say I owe about
>> I would say I owe about $80,000.
$80,000.
>> Whoa.
>> Whoa.
>> Between my car, the
>> Between my car, the MasterCard... the two cards...
MasterCard... the two cards... >> $80,000?
>> $80,000?
>> And the student loan.
>> And the student loan.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, $25,000, $15,000, and
Yeah, $25,000, $15,000, and $40,000.
$40,000.
$80,000.
$80,000.
>> Wow.
>> Wow.
How do you plan on paying that
How do you plan on paying that back?
back?
>> Uh... how does any...
>> Uh... how does any... >> And you went to school for
>> And you went to school for theology so, hmm?
theology so, hmm?
>> Well, I won't be getting a
>> Well, I won't be getting a job anytime quickly.
job anytime quickly.
>> Do you become a priest at the
>> Do you become a priest at the end of the day?
end of the day?
>> Well, that's a decision you
>> Well, that's a decision you have...
have... >> But that's... how you going
>> But that's... how you going to earn a living?
to earn a living?
>> Can I tell you the truth?
>> Can I tell you the truth?
You can't be a priest if you owe
You can't be a priest if you owe money.
money.
Let's all live in reality here.
Let's all live in reality here.
>> That's my point.
>> That's my point.
>> Yeah, the archdiocese isn't
>> Yeah, the archdiocese isn't taking you to the seminary if
taking you to the seminary if you owe $80,000.
you owe $80,000. )
) >> Well, they...
I don't know.
>> Well, they...
I don't know.
Who knows?
Who knows?
But... so, what's your plan?
But... so, what's your plan?
>> I...
I'll tell you what I
>> I...
I'll tell you what I learned.
learned.
I learned to surrender to God's
I learned to surrender to God's will and he makes... he makes
will and he makes... he makes the way.
the way.
>> NARRATOR: So, you trust God
>> NARRATOR: So, you trust God to manage your credit card debt,
to manage your credit card debt, basically?
basically?
>> He makes the way.
>> He makes the way.
He doesn't manage the credit
He doesn't manage the credit cards, but he gives us the
cards, but he gives us the capacity for the knowledge to
capacity for the knowledge to how to deal with these problems.
how to deal with these problems.
That was the great mystery of
That was the great mystery of the saints was to just surrender
the saints was to just surrender everything to God and let him
everything to God and let him take over.
>> Hi, Deborah.
>> Hi, Deborah.
>> Hey, hey.
>> Hey, hey.
How are you?
How are you?
>> Good.
>> Good.
How are you?
How are you?
>> What's doing?
>> What's doing?
>> Not too much.
>> Not too much.
>> Not too much?
>> Not too much?
How was work today?
How was work today?
>> Long.
>> Long.
>> Long, okay.
>> Long, okay.
So, we need to touch up your
So, we need to touch up your hair just a tad, right?
hair just a tad, right?
You're going out tonight?
You're going out tonight?
>> Yes.
>> Yes.
A blow dry wouldpgW+t.
A blow dry wouldpgW+t.
>> No problem.
>> No problem.
>> Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Have a seat and we'll get
>> Have a seat and we'll get your coat and everything.úN
your coat and everything.úN >> NARRATOR: I used to refer to
>> NARRATOR: I used to refer to Karen as the Porsche lady, since
Karen as the Porsche lady, since she had a Porsche, which I
she had a Porsche, which I admired.
admired.
>> I grew up in a very
>> I grew up in a very comfortable home.
comfortable home.
My father was in the steel
My father was in the steel business, and when I graduated
business, and when I graduated college, I went directly into
college, I went directly into the steel business.
the steel business.
And I traveled, primarily to
And I traveled, primarily to western Europe, and I sold
western Europe, and I sold steel.
steel.
>> NARRATOR: How did you plan,
>> NARRATOR: How did you plan, how did you think about your
how did you think about your retirement?
retirement?
>> I thought about my retirement
>> I thought about my retirement the same way most of us did,
the same way most of us did, which is the big problem.
which is the big problem.
I had a brokerage account, an
I had a brokerage account, an IRA.
IRA.
Everything was in place and,
Everything was in place and, now, it's practically worth
now, it's practically worth nothing.
nothing.
>> Delivery.
>> Delivery.
TOR: Deborah told me
TOR: Deborah told me that you don't have the Porsche
that you don't have the Porsche anymore.
anymore.
>> I sold the Porsche, because
>> I sold the Porsche, because there was a question of
there was a question of maintaining the Porsche or
maintaining the Porsche or maintaining my health insurance.
maintaining my health insurance.
And since I have to carry my own
And since I have to carry my own health insurance, I sold the
health insurance, I sold the car.
car.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> NARRATOR: Wasn't it difficult
>> NARRATOR: Wasn't it difficult for you to part with it?
for you to part with it?
>> Honestly?
>> Honestly?
I can tell you that losing the
I can tell you that losing the car was worse than getting
car was worse than getting divorced.
divorced.
And yet, I'm fortunate enough
And yet, I'm fortunate enough that I had the car and I was
that I had the car and I was able to sell it and I'm able to
able to sell it and I'm able to pay my health insurance.
pay my health insurance.
Had I not had the car, I would
Had I not had the car, I would be in worse condition.
be in worse condition.
So, I'm not that upset.
So, I'm not that upset.
But I miss it.
But I miss it.
A little bit, yes.
>> NARRATOR: Alan's car became
>> NARRATOR: Alan's car became his source of livelihood.
his source of livelihood.
Married with two children, Alan
Married with two children, Alan was a successful construction
was a successful construction manager for over 20 years.
manager for over 20 years.
Now, he's a driver.
Now, he's a driver.
>> I was laid off about eight...
>> I was laid off about eight... eight months ago.
eight months ago.
>> Eight months.
>> Eight months.
So now, you're a driver.
So now, you're a driver.
>> So now, I try and get some
>> So now, I try and get some cash, so I can put food on the
cash, so I can put food on the table, by driving people to the
table, by driving people to the airport, into New York City.
airport, into New York City.
>> Wow.
>> Wow.
It's amazing how imaginative you
It's amazing how imaginative you have to be just to put food on
have to be just to put food on the table.
the table.
>> Oh, yes.
>> Oh, yes.
>> I mean, it's not like, "Okay,
>> I mean, it's not like, "Okay, this didn't work, so now I'm
this didn't work, so now I'm going to go try this."
going to go try this."
Because you got a lot of
Because you got a lot of skills-- 20 years, you' re doing
skills-- 20 years, you' re doing something, you learned a lot of
something, you learned a lot of v
v >> I'm a very good
>> I'm a very good problem-solver and detail
problem-solver and detail oriented, but right now...
oriented, but right now... >> But where are you going with
>> But where are you going with it?
it?
>> That's right.
>> That's right.
>> It's amazing, isn't it?
>> It's amazing, isn't it?
>> It is amazing.
>> It is amazing.
I never thought, my whole life,
I never thought, my whole life, that this is where I'd wind up,
that this is where I'd wind up, Ñ!
Ñ!
>> At this stage of the game.
>> At this stage of the game.
It's crazy.
It's crazy.
>> When I go to, like, the
>> When I go to, like, the supermarket, or I go out and I'm
supermarket, or I go out and I'm with people that are part of the
with people that are part of the regular part of society, they're
regular part of society, they're just going about the same way
just going about the same way they had done a year or two ago.
they had done a year or two ago.
And here I am, like, in this
And here I am, like, in this bubble.
bubble.
>> Funk, yeah.
>> Funk, yeah.
It's like a death, you know,
It's like a death, you know, like when somebody dies in your
like when somebody dies in your family?
family?
And you go to the funeral, and
And you go to the funeral, and then the funeral is over and
then the funeral is over and you're like, "Why is the world
you're like, "Why is the world still going on?
still going on?
And why can't I?"
And why can't I?"
That's kind of what...
That's kind of what... >> That's a strange thing.
>> That's a strange thing.
>> Yeah, it's... it's like being
>> Yeah, it's... it's like being in the Twilight Zone.
in the Twilight Zone.
Remember "Twilight Zone," when
Remember "Twilight Zone," when we were kids?
we were kids?
>> Nobody prepared me for that.
>> Nobody prepared me for that.
>> How long do you think you can
>> How long do you think you can hang on like this?
hang on like this?
>> My savings have become
>> My savings have become depleted, and I can see the end
depleted, and I can see the end in sight, and it's not...
in sight, and it's not... >> It's not pretty.
>> It's not pretty.
>> It's not pretty.
>> It's not pretty.
I don't know what's going to
I don't know what's going to happen.
)
) >> Deborah Hair Design.
>> Deborah Hair Design.
Can I help you?
Can I help you?
Hi, how are you?
Hi, how are you?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, I'm sorry.
>> NARRATOR: A cancellation.
>> NARRATOR: A cancellation.
Someone, I'm told, was laid off.
Someone, I'm told, was laid off.
>> You know, the perception
>> You know, the perception about unemployed people used to
about unemployed people used to be, you know, they're unemployed
be, you know, they're unemployed for a reason.
for a reason.
But in this market, they're
But in this market, they're really unemployed for no fault
really unemployed for no fault of their own.
of their own.
These are people with tremendous
These are people with tremendous skills, with great work habits,
skills, with great work habits, and now, their industry has
and now, their industry has collapsed around them.
collapsed around them.
And... and they're left...
And... and they're left... >> NARRATOR: Steven is the
>> NARRATOR: Steven is the founder of a job search web site
founder of a job search web site for older people, which today
for older people, which today means people over 40.
means people over 40.
>> The market is just so tough
>> The market is just so tough for, really, so many people out
for, really, so many people out of work, but particularly for
of work, but particularly for older workers.
older workers.
>> I have clients who've been
>> I have clients who've been out of work, you know, well over
out of work, you know, well over a year.
a year.
They've gone through their
They've gone through their savings, their stocks are gone,
savings, their stocks are gone, their pension's gone, they're in
their pension's gone, they're in their 50s.
their 50s.
There's nowhere for them to go.
There's nowhere for them to go.
>> Well, that's the tragedy of
>> Well, that's the tragedy of what's going on right now,
what's going on right now, right?
right?
These are people with... with
These are people with... with skills and talent and great work
skills and talent and great work ethic.
ethic.
And you know, these people who
And you know, these people who ]C
]C pillars of their communities
pillars of their communities where they lived.
where they lived.
>> Hey, Rob.
>> Hey, Rob.
How are you?
How are you?
>> Hi.
>> Hi.
How are you?
How are you?
>> Nice to see you.
>> Nice to see you.
>> Nice to see you.
>> Nice to see you.
>> Hey, hon.
>> Hey, hon.
>> Hi, Deborah
>> Hi, Deborah Good to see you, too.
Good to see you, too.
>> Long time, no see.
>> Long time, no see.
>> Yeah, really.
>> Yeah, really.
>> NARRATOR: Rob, who had been a
>> NARRATOR: Rob, who had been a high-paid executive, has been
high-paid executive, has been out of a job for over a year.
out of a job for over a year.
>> So, how have you been?
>> So, how have you been?
>> I've been okay, you know.
>> I've been okay, you know.
You?
You?
Any prospects, anything
Any prospects, anything happening?
happening?
>> Uh, a few prospects.
>> Uh, a few prospects.
I'm actually...
I'm actually...
I'm actually...
I'm actually...
I actually have an interview
I actually have an interview later this evening.
later this evening.
>> Oh, that's the haircut.
>> Oh, that's the haircut.
>> That's right.
>> That's right.
>> There are an awful lot of
>> There are an awful lot of candidates out there right now,
candidates out there right now, in all different fields.
in all different fields.
So, you're constantly having
So, you're constantly having to... to hone your skills and
to... to hone your skills and reinvent yourself.
reinvent yourself.
>> NARRATOR: He talks about his
>> NARRATOR: He talks about his old job with nostalgia.
old job with nostalgia.
>> I bounced out of bed every
>> I bounced out of bed every morning.
morning.
I was responsible for the
I was responsible for the recruiting, the employee
recruiting, the employee relations, the training.
relations, the training.
And I enjoyed this every single
And I enjoyed this every single day.
day.
>> NARRATOR: He remembers
>> NARRATOR: He remembers vividly the day it ended.
vividly the day it ended.
>> It was a beautiful day.
>> It was a beautiful day.
Drove to work.
Drove to work.
It was early in the morning, and
It was early in the morning, and I was sitting in my office and
I was sitting in my office and my boss walked in.
my boss walked in.
I was kind of surprised that she
I was kind of surprised that she was there that early.
was there that early.
And she closed the door and
And she closed the door and immediately said that the
immediately said that the company was having a reduction
company was having a reduction in force and that I was a part
in force and that I was a part of it, that... wanted me to... .
of it, that... wanted me to... .
She was sorry.
She was sorry.
That she wanted me to pack up
That she wanted me to pack up my... my things.
my... my things.
And I was shocked.
And I was shocked.
I was stunned.
I was stunned.
I was sad.
I was sad.
I was distressed.
I was distressed.
>> NARRATOR: What did you do?
>> NARRATOR: What did you do?
>> I...
>> I...
I looked her...
I looked her...
Asked me if I had any questions.
Asked me if I had any questions.
But I was really in... in quite
But I was really in... in quite somewhat of a daze.
somewhat of a daze.
And she said, really, if I could
And she said, really, if I could pack up in about ten minutes,
pack up in about ten minutes, that would be helpful.
that would be helpful.
And I said it's going to take
And I said it's going to take me...
I'd been there for many
me...
I'd been there for many years and it was going to take
years and it was going to take me longer than ten minutes.
me longer than ten minutes.
And... well, it was... if I
And... well, it was... if I could do it as, you know, as
could do it as, you know, as quickly as possible.
quickly as possible.
And she opened the door and...
And she opened the door and... she handed me a package and...
she handed me a package and... an envelope and I...
an envelope and I... And... and she left my office.
You get in your car-- somewhat
You get in your car-- somewhat disoriented, totally dejected.
disoriented, totally dejected.
Which way did I want to go?
Which way did I want to go?
Which way did I even want to go
Which way did I even want to go home?
home?
I stopped and I sat in the car
I stopped and I sat in the car for about 20 minutes or so, and
for about 20 minutes or so, and just sat there.
just sat there.
At that point, I wasn't sure who
At that point, I wasn't sure who I was.
I was.
>> NARRATOR: He had been a human
>> NARRATOR: He had been a human resource executive for a
resource executive for a marketing company in charge of
marketing company in charge of hundreds of people whom he had
hundreds of people whom he had the power to hire and fire.
the power to hire and fire.
He now found himself on the
He now found himself on the other side of the fence.
other side of the fence.
>> It took me probably somewhere
>> It took me probably somewhere in the neighborhood of five
in the neighborhood of five months to realize how difficult
months to realize how difficult a task this was going to be,
a task this was going to be, that the challenge to get a job
that the challenge to get a job was insurmountable.
was insurmountable.
I've probably sent out, as far
I've probably sent out, as far as resumes, somewhere in the
as resumes, somewhere in the neighborhood of 200.
neighborhood of 200.
And it takes me somewhere
And it takes me somewhere between an hour to an hour and a
between an hour to an hour and a half to write a cover letter,
half to write a cover letter, sometimes.
sometimes.
It takes me an hour sometimes to
It takes me an hour sometimes to re-tweak a resume correctly.
re-tweak a resume correctly.
Companies have specific ways
Companies have specific ways that they need an application
that they need an application submitted.
submitted.
So, you may have to go to their
So, you may have to go to their web site, and then submit the
web site, and then submit the application directly through
application directly through their web site.
their web site.
And so, you have to follow the
And so, you have to follow the directions to a T, or else
directions to a T, or else they'll just take your... your
they'll just take your... your resume and throw it in the
resume and throw it in the garbage.
garbage.
And this takes time, it takes
And this takes time, it takes hours.
hours.
And then, in the event that you
And then, in the event that you are called for an interview, you
are called for an interview, you have to speak about those key
have to speak about those key words that are important and
words that are important and those specifics, and you have to
those specifics, and you have to continue to follow-up with that.
continue to follow-up with that.
And all of this takes so much
And all of this takes so much time, and each time you do it,
time, and each time you do it, you have to bring... bring
you have to bring... bring yourself up every single time.
yourself up every single time.
You have to constantly be up,
You have to constantly be up, constantly be up.
constantly be up.
And that takes an emotional
And that takes an emotional drain from you.
drain from you.
Ofra, it's an emotional drain.
Ofra, it's an emotional drain.
>> NARRATOR: Many of Steven's
>> NARRATOR: Many of Steven's clients are in the same
clients are in the same situation.
situation.
>> These are people who probably
>> These are people who probably have never had to look for a job
have never had to look for a job in their life.
in their life.
>> Never.
>> Never.
>> All right, these are the
>> All right, these are the people that...
people that... >> These are the people the
>> These are the people the phone rang for them.
phone rang for them.
>> Exactly, exactly.
>> Exactly, exactly.
We see so many people who
We see so many people who haven't done a resume in 20
haven't done a resume in 20 years, or have never done a
years, or have never done a resume at all.
resume at all.
And now, you're asking them to
And now, you're asking them to not only come up with a resume,
not only come up with a resume, but to create a whole skill set
but to create a whole skill set in terms of finding a job.
in terms of finding a job.
And it does require specific
And it does require specific skills that many of these people
skills that many of these people don't have.
don't have.
>> And several of my clients
>> And several of my clients have gone to these work fair
have gone to these work fair things and they said...
things and they said... >> They're... they're a
>> They're... they're a disaster.
disaster.
>> It's so ridiculous... it's so
>> It's so ridiculous... it's so ridiculous because it's down to
ridiculous because it's down to a point where they tell them,
a point where they tell them, "Now watch how you cross your
"Now watch how you cross your legs.
legs.
And watch how you move your
And watch how you move your hands.
hands.
Always make sure your hands are
Always make sure your hands are open, but use your hands, it's
open, but use your hands, it's very nice.
very nice.
People like you to animate.
People like you to animate.
But don't use them too close
But don't use them too close together, because then you're
together, because then you're kind of shutting them out."
kind of shutting them out."
And it's all this psychological
And it's all this psychological drama, and they're, like, "Do
drama, and they're, like, "Do you understand, you know, I was
you understand, you know, I was a so and so or I'm a this, or
a so and so or I'm a this, or I'm a that?"
I'm a that?"
Like, you know, "I don't...
I
Like, you know, "I don't...
I have people...
I have staff who
have people...
I have staff who hire people for me.
hire people for me.
I have to worry about how I'm
I have to worry about how I'm sitting?"
sitting?"
>> NARRATOR: There may be
>> NARRATOR: There may be hundreds or even thousands of
hundreds or even thousands of resumes for each job opening, so
resumes for each job opening, so Rob's search can never stop.
Rob's search can never stop.
There's networking to do and
There's networking to do and classes to attend.
classes to attend.
How much time do you spend
How much time do you spend driving since you've been out
driving since you've been out of... since you've been looking
of... since you've been looking for a job?
for a job?
>> Oh, my gosh.
>> Oh, my gosh.
I spend an exorbitant amount of
I spend an exorbitant amount of time driving.
time driving.
I actually could not believe the
I actually could not believe the thousands of miles that I clock
thousands of miles that I clock going between networking
going between networking functions and coaching
functions and coaching functions.
functions.
It's an amazing number.
It's an amazing number.
>> Cold companies are companies
>> Cold companies are companies that are not actively hiring.
that are not actively hiring.
But you know as well as I do...
But you know as well as I do... >> NARRATOR: Judi is Rob's new
>> NARRATOR: Judi is Rob's new career coach.
career coach.
>> Sometimes, you've got
>> Sometimes, you've got somebody going, "Hmm, maybe we
somebody going, "Hmm, maybe we need to do this, maybe we need
need to do this, maybe we need to do that."
to do that."
Your resume lands on the right
Your resume lands on the right desk at the right time.
desk at the right time.
>> NARRATOR: The goal is to get
>> NARRATOR: The goal is to get through to someone, who may know
through to someone, who may know someone else, who can get you an
someone else, who can get you an interview, which would end in a
interview, which would end in a job.
job.
>> So, when you start mailing
>> So, when you start mailing those out-- and it should be
those out-- and it should be about 30 a week.
about 30 a week.
And at the bottom of your
And at the bottom of your letter, you don't say, "Please
letter, you don't say, "Please let me know."
let me know."
You say, "I look forward to
You say, "I look forward to following up with you the week
following up with you the week of..."
of..." And general rules for following
And general rules for following up are two to three times about
up are two to three times about every three days, okay?
every three days, okay?
Now, the other thing about this
Now, the other thing about this is there are times you're going
is there are times you're going to look at the...
to look at the... >> NARRATOR: After the session
>> NARRATOR: After the session with Judi, Rob is off to a
with Judi, Rob is off to a networking meeting, one of the
networking meeting, one of the hundreds taking place across the
hundreds taking place across the country.
country.
This one is organized by the
This one is organized by the state labor department in
state labor department in Danbury, Connecticut.
Danbury, Connecticut.
>> I go to almost every meeting.
>> I go to almost every meeting.
One of the things that I lost
One of the things that I lost were my work friends.
were my work friends.
And one of the things that I've
And one of the things that I've gained are network friends.
gained are network friends.
>> I want to thank you for
>> I want to thank you for really opening the door, because
really opening the door, because I'd contacted them a couple of
I'd contacted them a couple of times and went no place, but
times and went no place, but with your lead, it really
with your lead, it really worked.
worked.
>> My pleasure.
>> My pleasure.
>> Right, and you were right on
>> Right, and you were right on track...
track... >> NARRATOR: This is a weekly
>> NARRATOR: This is a weekly support group where unemployed
support group where unemployed members check with each other,
members check with each other, give and ask for advice, and let
give and ask for advice, and let down their guard.
down their guard.
>> At 60, okay, I still need to
>> At 60, okay, I still need to work for another four or five
work for another four or five years.
years.
I mean, I've changed my resume a
I mean, I've changed my resume a bit...
bit... >> Okay, fellas, let's get back
>> Okay, fellas, let's get back on track here.
on track here.
You're going to stand up, you're
You're going to stand up, you're going to introduce yourselves.
going to introduce yourselves.
You get 15 seconds to do it.
You get 15 seconds to do it.
>> NARRATOR: An important part
>> NARRATOR: An important part of the meeting is to practice
of the meeting is to practice the elevator speech-- your work
the elevator speech-- your work history and career goals in the
history and career goals in the time it takes an elevator to
time it takes an elevator to reach the ground floor.
reach the ground floor.
>> All right, fellas, it's all
>> All right, fellas, it's all yours.
yours.
>> and we'll start with Rob.
>> and we'll start with Rob.
>> Good morning.
>> Good morning.
I'm Rob Weiss.
I'm Rob Weiss.
I'm a human resource management
I'm a human resource management executive with an expertise in
executive with an expertise in recruiting, employee relations,
recruiting, employee relations, and training.
and training.
My most recent position, I was
My most recent position, I was responsible for 7,300 people--
responsible for 7,300 people-- 300 full-time people, 7,000
300 full-time people, 7,000 part-timers.
part-timers.
So I'm looking for a position in
So I'm looking for a position in a similar company, probably a
a similar company, probably a small- to medium-sized company
small- to medium-sized company now, in the Tri-state area.
now, in the Tri-state area.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
>> I'm a marketing person
>> I'm a marketing person looking for an opportunity with
looking for an opportunity with companies that are technology
companies that are technology related, growth companies.
related, growth companies.
And I will entertain any offers.
And I will entertain any offers.
Thank you.
Thank you.
>> I'm a telecommunications
>> I'm a telecommunications technician, and I'm looking for
technician, and I'm looking for a job to upgrade phones at any
a job to upgrade phones at any midsize company...
midsize company... >> My specialty is
>> My specialty is infrastructure...
infrastructure... >> NARRATOR: It is hard not to
>> NARRATOR: It is hard not to notice that most of the members
notice that most of the members are over 50.
are over 50.
>> I've been in the
>> I've been in the pharmaceutical industry for the
pharmaceutical industry for the past 20 years...
past 20 years... >> Age is a problem.
>> Age is a problem.
Age is a big problem.
Age is a big problem.
The large companies don't want
The large companies don't want people at my age anymore.
people at my age anymore.
That's plain and simple.
That's plain and simple.
>> Companies could include IBM,
>> Companies could include IBM, Texas Instruments...
Texas Instruments... >> The number of members that
>> The number of members that have joined the networking
have joined the networking groups that I belong to keeps
groups that I belong to keeps increasing weekly, and they're
increasing weekly, and they're all in the same age bracket as I
all in the same age bracket as I am.
am.
>> And I'm really open to any
>> And I'm really open to any industry, and target company...
industry, and target company...
I'm looking for a job.
I'm looking for a job.
So, thank you.
So, thank you.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Deborah, do you remember
>> Deborah, do you remember hearing about the... the plane
hearing about the... the plane crash in the Hudson River,
crash in the Hudson River, right?
right?
>> Right, right.
>> Right, right.
>> And the pilot, Sully
>> And the pilot, Sully Sullenberger, was a hero for
Sullenberger, was a hero for saving all those people.
saving all those people.
>> Right.
>> Right.
>> You know, the irony of that
>> You know, the irony of that is, I mean, he was 57 years old.
is, I mean, he was 57 years old.
The irony is that every HR
The irony is that every HR manager on that plane before he
manager on that plane before he took off wouldn't have given
took off wouldn't have given Sully Sullenberger even an
Sully Sullenberger even an interview for a job.
interview for a job.
And yet, it was because of all
And yet, it was because of all the skills and experiences that
the skills and experiences that he had that is what allowed him
he had that is what allowed him to land that plane safely and
to land that plane safely and save the lives of all those
save the lives of all those people.
people.
>> NARRATOR: But age bias aside,
>> NARRATOR: But age bias aside, Rob goes on, and we go with him.
Rob goes on, and we go with him.
There is another event which he
There is another event which he will not miss.
will not miss.
This one, called Whine and
This one, called Whine and Dine-- that's "Whine" with a
Dine-- that's "Whine" with a W-H-- is for human resource
W-H-- is for human resource executives.
executives.
>> I really appreciate the
>> I really appreciate the referral.
referral.
Let me give you my card.
Let me give you my card.
>> NARRATOR: It began a couple
>> NARRATOR: It began a couple of years ago with working
of years ago with working professionals only.
professionals only.
>> ... my Twitter on the other
>> ... my Twitter on the other side of my business card
side of my business card because...
because... >> NARRATOR: Now, about half of
>> NARRATOR: Now, about half of those present are, as they say,
those present are, as they say, "in transition", which
"in transition", which optimistically means "between
optimistically means "between jobs".
jobs".
>> Don't talk about children or
>> Don't talk about children or grandchildren, absolutely not.
grandchildren, absolutely not.
That's a big, big no-no.
That's a big, big no-no.
>> Yeah, right.
>> Yeah, right.
>> You know, talk about... talk
>> You know, talk about... talk about something that's high
about something that's high technology.
technology.
>> And you talk about that stuff
>> And you talk about that stuff because that's what the young
because that's what the young people... because you're
people... because you're competing against the younger
competing against the younger people, you know?
people, you know?
>> Hi, I'm Jan Davis and I work
>> Hi, I'm Jan Davis and I work in training and professional
in training and professional development.
development.
>> And I have almost 20 years of
>> And I have almost 20 years of experience in HR leadership.
experience in HR leadership.
>> I administer health and
>> I administer health and welfare plans, as well as
welfare plans, as well as pension plans.
pension plans.
>> Hi, I'm Rob Weiss.
>> Hi, I'm Rob Weiss.
I'm a skilled HR management
I'm a skilled HR management professional with an expertise
professional with an expertise in recruiting...
in recruiting... >> NARRATOR: More elevator
>> NARRATOR: More elevator speeches.
speeches.
>> And I'm seeking a position.
>> And I'm seeking a position.
>> Rob seems tired, but he's
>> Rob seems tired, but he's determined to go on to one more
determined to go on to one more late meeting.
late meeting.
>> My name is Rob Weiss.
>> My name is Rob Weiss.
Thank you.
Thank you.
>> We decide to call it a night.
Deborah Boles, 55, grew up in
Deborah Boles, 55, grew up in Brooklyn in a working class
Brooklyn in a working class Irish-American family, and is
Irish-American family, and is the only one in the family to
the only one in the family to have her own business.
have her own business.
>> I started doing hair about 35
>> I started doing hair about 35 years ago.
years ago.
In 1985, I went in business for
In 1985, I went in business for myself.
myself.
>> NARRATOR: She rents two units
>> NARRATOR: She rents two units in the same building.
in the same building.
One she lives in, the other is
One she lives in, the other is the salon.
the salon.
>> I wanted a place where people
>> I wanted a place where people can go and they can feel
can go and they can feel comfortable.
comfortable.
They know they belong here.
They know they belong here.
Hello.
Hello.
Nothing intimidating about it.
Nothing intimidating about it.
Hi.
Hi.
I need to order some color,
I need to order some color, okay?
okay?
>> NARRATOR: She developed a
>> NARRATOR: She developed a large and loyal clientele, but
large and loyal clientele, but with the downturn of the
with the downturn of the economy, this is now changing.
economy, this is now changing.
There can now be hours when no
There can now be hours when no one is there.
one is there.
>> It's very hard.
>> It's very hard.
It's very hard.
It's very hard.
Sometimes you have a good week,
Sometimes you have a good week, sometimes you don't.
sometimes you don't.
>> Okay, who has cancelled?
>> Okay, who has cancelled?
>> Him.
>> Him.
But it's nowhere near what it
But it's nowhere near what it was.
was.
Nowhere near what it was.
Nowhere near what it was.
Haircut and spa.
Haircut and spa.
>> He wants-- okay.
>> He wants-- okay.
>> Now it's-- "Guess."
>> Now it's-- "Guess."
Guess who still has a job.
Guess who still has a job.
Guess who still has money.
Guess who still has money.
Guess who's coming, guess who's
Guess who's coming, guess who's not.
not.
>> So, how you been?
>> So, how you been?
>> I've been okay.
>> I've been okay.
Can't complain.
Can't complain.
You?
You?
>> Hanging in there, you know.
>> Hanging in there, you know.
Business is slow.
Business is slow.
It's a tough time.
It's a tough time.
It's just difficult.
It's just difficult.
You know, we leave work and, you
You know, we leave work and, you know, just happy you have a job.
know, just happy you have a job.
Yeah, they... they cut me back
Yeah, they... they cut me back to a four-day work week.
to a four-day work week.
>> NARRATOR: With the four days,
>> NARRATOR: With the four days, do you make enough money?
do you make enough money?
>> I'm finding I'm getting more
>> I'm finding I'm getting more into debt now than I've been
into debt now than I've been in... in years.
in... in years.
I'm more in debt now.
I'm more in debt now.
>> I wish I could somehow cut
>> I wish I could somehow cut back my prices, for everybody.
back my prices, for everybody.
But if I've lost so much of my
But if I've lost so much of my business already and I am, you
business already and I am, you know... you know, uh...
know... you know, uh...
I'm hanging on to what I can and
I'm hanging on to what I can and my clients, God love them,
my clients, God love them, they're wonderful and they're
they're wonderful and they're still coming, but if I cut back
still coming, but if I cut back too much, how do I pay my bills?
too much, how do I pay my bills?
>> You know, people are coming
>> You know, people are coming less and less, you know.
less and less, you know.
>> Less frequently?
>> Less frequently?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
You know we're their... this is
You know we're their... this is one of the places they're
one of the places they're cutting back, you know.
cutting back, you know.
It...
It... >> They don't color their hair
>> They don't color their hair as often, like me?
as often, like me?
>> It's... you know, yeah.
>> It's... you know, yeah.
Like you.
Like you.
You used to come all the time,
You used to come all the time, color your hair, get a haircut,
color your hair, get a haircut, you know, they...
you know, they...
So many of them are losing their
So many of them are losing their jobs, or their family members
jobs, or their family members are losing their jobs and they
are losing their jobs and they have to go back home or, you
have to go back home or, you know, it's just...
know, it's just... >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah, it... there's no one
>> Yeah, it... there's no one issue here.
issue here.
>> And you see so much...
>> And you see so much... >> It's everything.
>> It's everything.
>> Oh, I know and, you know, one
>> Oh, I know and, you know, one of the things I notice, it's
of the things I notice, it's easier to get a cab in New York
easier to get a cab in New York City now.
City now.
Did you notice that?
Did you notice that?
Even in the rain, you can get a
Even in the rain, you can get a cab.
cab.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> If someone travels up Madison
>> If someone travels up Madison Avenue from about 46th Street,
Avenue from about 46th Street, 60-plus stores went out just
60-plus stores went out just during the month of January,
during the month of January, which is pretty serious.
which is pretty serious.
And then, if you're driving up
And then, if you're driving up and down, and you see Lexington
and down, and you see Lexington and Second and Third, it's
and Second and Third, it's amazing how many shops are out.
amazing how many shops are out.
When you drive by and you look
When you drive by and you look at how many people are in the
at how many people are in the stores, it's just the
stores, it's just the proprietor, that's it.
proprietor, that's it.
>> It's the Upper East Side.
>> It's the Upper East Side.
This isn't supposed to happen
This isn't supposed to happen here.
here.
>> Why not, it's part of
>> Why not, it's part of America?
America?
>> I know, but it's just not
>> I know, but it's just not supposed to happen here.
>> NARRATOR: One doesn't have to
>> NARRATOR: One doesn't have to walk more than a block or two
walk more than a block or two from the salon to see what is
from the salon to see what is happening.
happening.
>> I've lost so many good
>> I've lost so many good neighbors.
neighbors.
They've lost their business.
They've lost their business.
I mean, I'm still here, but I
I mean, I'm still here, but I worry how long I can be here,
worry how long I can be here, and am I next?
and am I next?
>> NARRATOR: Barbara, Deborah's
>> NARRATOR: Barbara, Deborah's sister who lives in Florida,
sister who lives in Florida, came to New York to help.
came to New York to help.
>> Right now, I'm here and I
>> Right now, I'm here and I have to go back to Florida, and
have to go back to Florida, and I'm concerned about, you know,
I'm concerned about, you know, what could happen with her
what could happen with her business and her.
business and her.
And she's worried about it, you
And she's worried about it, you know.
know.
We're not young anymore.
We're not young anymore.
>> NARRATOR: Barbara has her own
>> NARRATOR: Barbara has her own concerns, serious ones.
concerns, serious ones.
Her home in Florida is in danger
Her home in Florida is in danger of being foreclosed.
of being foreclosed.
So, when she went to Florida, we
So, when she went to Florida, we went with her.
went with her.
Barbara bought her house in
Barbara bought her house in 2006, at the height of the
2006, at the height of the market, believing that it was a
market, believing that it was a great investment.
great investment.
>> There was a boom going on
>> There was a boom going on here that was incredible.
here that was incredible.
There were investors buying up,
There were investors buying up, you know, five and six houses at
you know, five and six houses at a time, friends were buying
a time, friends were buying houses.
houses.
It was like, you know... it was
It was like, you know... it was like a candy store.
like a candy store.
And I really thought I was...
And I really thought I was... you know, had done a good thing
you know, had done a good thing and I would make some money.
and I would make some money.
And I wouldn't have to worry
And I wouldn't have to worry about a college loan for my
about a college loan for my daughter-- I could use the house
daughter-- I could use the house as collateral.
as collateral.
And the bottom fell out.
And the bottom fell out.
And that's not going to happen--
And that's not going to happen-- my daughter goes to a city
my daughter goes to a city college now, and it's difficult.
college now, and it's difficult.
But that was not, you know, my
But that was not, you know, my hopes and dreams for her.
hopes and dreams for her.
>> NARRATOR: Barbara, divorced,
>> NARRATOR: Barbara, divorced, is the mother of Katie, who's
is the mother of Katie, who's 19.
19.
>> I start at CR Chicks on
>> I start at CR Chicks on Monday.
Monday.
I start training.
I start training.
>> Okay.
>> Okay.
Is that necessary?
Is that necessary?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
I need to pay rent.
I need to pay rent.
>> I didn't think that, at this
>> I didn't think that, at this time in my life, I would be in
time in my life, I would be in this position.
this position.
And my daughter knows about it,
And my daughter knows about it, and I don't want her to have
and I don't want her to have this on her head, but she does,
this on her head, but she does, she knows.
she knows.
>> Don't worry, I'll get rich.
>> Don't worry, I'll get rich.
I'll pay it off.
I'll pay it off.
Just give me a couple years.
Just give me a couple years.
>> NARRATOR: All around her,
>> NARRATOR: All around her, Barbara sees houses that have
Barbara sees houses that have been foreclosed, and signs of
been foreclosed, and signs of neighbors who have lost their
neighbors who have lost their homes.
homes.
>> It's, like, in-your-face kind
>> It's, like, in-your-face kind of stuff and it's, like, this is
of stuff and it's, like, this is the reality.
the reality.
This can happen real easily.
This can happen real easily.
So, I...
I don't sleep.
So, I...
I don't sleep.
>> NARRATOR: Barbara's home has
>> NARRATOR: Barbara's home has lost nearly half of its value,
lost nearly half of its value, but she still faces steep
but she still faces steep payments she cannot afford.
payments she cannot afford.
>> My interest is 9.25% on a
>> My interest is 9.25% on a $236,000 mortgage.
$236,000 mortgage.
That's the killer-- that 9.25%
That's the killer-- that 9.25% is what's killing me.
is what's killing me.
So, all I need is a reduced rate
So, all I need is a reduced rate and I...
I can keep my house.
and I...
I can keep my house.
>> NARRATOR: She has applied for
>> NARRATOR: She has applied for both refinancing and
both refinancing and modification.
modification.
But the bank forced her to buy
But the bank forced her to buy hurricane insurance, and then
hurricane insurance, and then rejected her applications for
rejected her applications for having too much debt and not
having too much debt and not enough income.
enough income.
In the meantime, she has had to
In the meantime, she has had to take in renters to help her pay
take in renters to help her pay the mortgage.
the mortgage.
There was more deterioration
There was more deterioration in the job market last month.
in the job market last month.
The Labor Department says...
The Labor Department says... >> NARRATOR: David was the first
>> NARRATOR: David was the first tenant.
tenant.
Once a vice president of a bank,
Once a vice president of a bank, then real estate appraiser, he
then real estate appraiser, he could afford to pay rent that
could afford to pay rent that covered the whole mortgage till
covered the whole mortgage till his business dried up.
his business dried up.
Then there was Richie, a Rutgers
Then there was Richie, a Rutgers University graduate who found
University graduate who found work in the financial industry
work in the financial industry until his company folded.
until his company folded.
Now, he sells telephone lines.
Now, he sells telephone lines.
Then came Mike and Steve, whose
Then came Mike and Steve, whose houses were both foreclosed.
houses were both foreclosed.
Steve was a friend of both David
Steve was a friend of both David and Barbara.
and Barbara.
He had a brokerage firm and
He had a brokerage firm and lived well in a high-end gated
lived well in a high-end gated community, until his house was
community, until his house was foreclosed, his business dried
foreclosed, his business dried up, and he had a stroke.
up, and he had a stroke.
>> Steve had a beautiful home in
>> Steve had a beautiful home in PGA National, and he fell three
PGA National, and he fell three months behind.
months behind.
And he tried to pay the three
And he tried to pay the three months to the bank and they
months to the bank and they said, "Now, you owe us four
said, "Now, you owe us four months, so we're not going to
months, so we're not going to take the three months."
take the three months."
If Steve had been able to bring
If Steve had been able to bring those three payments in, he
those three payments in, he could have made up the other
could have made up the other payment, eventually.
payment, eventually.
And they wouldn't have had to go
And they wouldn't have had to go through... the bank wouldn't
through... the bank wouldn't have to go through the process
have to go through the process they went through and,
they went through and, obviously, Steve wouldn't, you
obviously, Steve wouldn't, you know, be in the circumstances
know, be in the circumstances he's in.
he's in.
It's easier for them to
It's easier for them to foreclose, take possession and
foreclose, take possession and sell it than it is to
sell it than it is to renegotiate the loan.
renegotiate the loan.
>> NARRATOR: Mike's story is
>> NARRATOR: Mike's story is particularly tragic.
particularly tragic.
Working as a carpenter, he now
Working as a carpenter, he now lives in a small room at the
lives in a small room at the back of the house with his two
back of the house with his two dogs.
dogs.
>> Jakey, come on, honey.
>> Jakey, come on, honey.
Jakey.
Jakey.
My wife was dying up at the
My wife was dying up at the hospice, and then I lost my job.
hospice, and then I lost my job.
So, I became two months in
So, I became two months in arrears, and that's when I got
arrears, and that's when I got scared.
scared.
So, I went down to the housing
So, I went down to the housing development company here.
development company here.
And they said, "Fine, what we'll
And they said, "Fine, what we'll do, we'll hook you up with an
do, we'll hook you up with an individual and he will fix it
individual and he will fix it for you."
for you."
So, we got in there and he says,
So, we got in there and he says, "Yes, we have a grant for this.
"Yes, we have a grant for this.
You have nothing to worry about.
You have nothing to worry about.
Just keep looking for a job."
Just keep looking for a job."
So that's what I did-- I kept
So that's what I did-- I kept looking for a job and I found
looking for a job and I found one.
one.
>> NARRATOR: He found a job as a
>> NARRATOR: He found a job as a carpenter and spent the coming
carpenter and spent the coming months visiting his dying wife
months visiting his dying wife and working to pay his mortgage.
and working to pay his mortgage.
But somehow, things went wrong.
But somehow, things went wrong.
The development department would
The development department would not release the grant money
not release the grant money until Mike made up the
until Mike made up the difference, which he couldn't
difference, which he couldn't do.
do.
And the bank did not agree to
And the bank did not agree to modify the loan.
modify the loan.
So Mike's case fell through the
So Mike's case fell through the cracks.
cracks.
Three days after his wife died,
Three days after his wife died, Mike found his house locked up
Mike found his house locked up and everything he owned in the
and everything he owned in the street.
street.
>> When you lose your loved one
>> When you lose your loved one and you lose your house at the
and you lose your house at the same time, it was the worst time
same time, it was the worst time in my life, anyway.
in my life, anyway.
I don't know, the pain was just
I don't know, the pain was just so great.
so great.
I just...
I've been a recluse
I just...
I've been a recluse ever since.
ever since.
I've been just going to a little
I've been just going to a little humble job and then coming back
humble job and then coming back here.
here.
I mean, I haven't been able
I mean, I haven't been able to...
to...
It was just devastating, it just
It was just devastating, it just kind of wipes you out when you
kind of wipes you out when you lose everything and then you go,
lose everything and then you go, "Man," you know.
"Man," you know.
>> NARRATOR: Mike wasn't always
>> NARRATOR: Mike wasn't always a recluse.
a recluse.
He was a deep sea diver who was
He was a deep sea diver who was part of an expedition that had
part of an expedition that had found sunken treasure.
found sunken treasure.
And in his youth, he was an
And in his youth, he was an acclaimed dancer in the Florida
acclaimed dancer in the Florida Ballet Company.
Ballet Company.
>> You know, there's got to be more to life than this, eh?
more to life than this, eh?
When you fall out of rhythm like
When you fall out of rhythm like that, it's just, man, that's a
that, it's just, man, that's a bummer, you know?
>> NARRATOR: Before we left
>> NARRATOR: Before we left Florida, we passed by Mike's
Florida, we passed by Mike's former home, for which he had
former home, for which he had paid $125,000.
paid $125,000.
There was a man watering the
There was a man watering the trees.
trees.
He said he was the new owner and
He said he was the new owner and that his name was Reynaldo.
that his name was Reynaldo.
>> I got it like about two
>> I got it like about two months ago.
months ago.
I bought it for $55,000.
I bought it for $55,000.
The people that had it, I guess
The people that had it, I guess they wasn't paying the mortgage.
they wasn't paying the mortgage.
They were, like, seven months
They were, like, seven months behind on the mortgage and they
behind on the mortgage and they kicked them out.
kicked them out.
They threw all their stuff out
They threw all their stuff out on the street.
on the street.
And then, they put the house up
And then, they put the house up for foreclosure.
for foreclosure.
So, me and my wife, we came
So, me and my wife, we came across the street, we read the
across the street, we read the number, we called them up and we
number, we called them up and we bought the house.
bought the house.
Me and my wife are going to rent
Me and my wife are going to rent it out, and probably, when the
it out, and probably, when the economy gets better, five or six
economy gets better, five or six years from now, then we'll turn
years from now, then we'll turn around and sell it for a profit.
around and sell it for a profit.
But for right now, we're just
But for right now, we're just going to rent it to try to
going to rent it to try to get... the money we put into the
get... the money we put into the house, try to get it back.
house, try to get it back.
>> NARRATOR: Do you feel that,
>> NARRATOR: Do you feel that, on the whole, it was a good buy?
on the whole, it was a good buy?
>> Yes, I think it is.
>> Yes, I think it is.
I... it's a real good bargain.
I... it's a real good bargain.
You can never go wrong with real
You can never go wrong with real estate, you know?
estate, you know?
>> NARRATOR: I didn't argue.
Barbara is back in New York
Barbara is back in New York helping Deborah, while waiting
helping Deborah, while waiting for some news from the bank.
for some news from the bank. )
) Friends and family drop by.
Friends and family drop by.
Vince-- Barbara and Deborah's
Vince-- Barbara and Deborah's nephew, son of their late
nephew, son of their late sister-- is a medical secretary
sister-- is a medical secretary who barely gets by.
who barely gets by.
>> I mean, I live in a studio
>> I mean, I live in a studio apartment with basically no
apartment with basically no windows.
windows.
I pay $850 a month.
I pay $850 a month.
You know, so you can... you
You know, so you can... you know, you start to do the math
know, you start to do the math and it's... you know, my... my
and it's... you know, my... my meager paycheck does not, you
meager paycheck does not, you know, you know... so...
know, you know... so... >> NARRATOR: Vincent has always
>> NARRATOR: Vincent has always counted on Deborah.
counted on Deborah.
>> That's why, you know, I'm
>> That's why, you know, I'm lucky to have her, you know.
lucky to have her, you know.
The whole family's lucky to have
The whole family's lucky to have her.
her.
She was always the inspiration,
She was always the inspiration, she was somebody that made it.
she was somebody that made it.
So, we had someone to look up
So, we had someone to look up to, you know, that aspired to do
to, you know, that aspired to do a small business and actually
a small business and actually achieved their dreams, you know.
achieved their dreams, you know.
So if we had tough times, we
So if we had tough times, we always had someone to go to.
always had someone to go to.
>> NARRATOR: Deborah knows it,
>> NARRATOR: Deborah knows it, and she is worried.
and she is worried.
She tells us what she doesn't
She tells us what she doesn't tell them.
tell them.
>> Business started slowing up,
>> Business started slowing up, for quite a while now.
for quite a while now.
I could be forced to close it if
I could be forced to close it if I don't have enough customers,
I don't have enough customers, you know?
you know?
So what do I worry about at
So what do I worry about at night?
night?
I worry about my family, I worry
I worry about my family, I worry about my customers, I worry
about my customers, I worry about everything-- my business,
about everything-- my business, first and foremost, because
first and foremost, because that's... that's what helps me
that's... that's what helps me make everything else run, you
make everything else run, you know.
know. )
) >> NARRATOR: She's worried, and
>> NARRATOR: She's worried, and like many people, she's angry.
like many people, she's angry.
She's angry at the banks, she's
She's angry at the banks, she's angry at the big companies,
angry at the big companies, she's angry at the bailout, and
she's angry at the bailout, and she's angry at the big Wall
she's angry at the big Wall Street bonuses.
Street bonuses.
>> Nobody turns around and gives
>> Nobody turns around and gives me a check for failing.
me a check for failing.
These people failed at what they
These people failed at what they did.
did.
They shouldn't be getting
They shouldn't be getting anything.
anything.
They should be getting fired.
They should be getting fired.
That's what would happen to me.
That's what would happen to me.
If I gave you a bad haircut,
If I gave you a bad haircut, Emanuel, would you come back?
Emanuel, would you come back?
>> I'd still come back, because
>> I'd still come back, because I love you.
I love you. )
) Everyone deserves a second
Everyone deserves a second chance.
chance. )
) A hair cut's not a life and
A hair cut's not a life and death situation.
death situation.
I'm not losing a house.
I'm not losing a house.
You know, it will still grow,
You know, it will still grow, hopefully...
Frontline...
Frontline... >> Everywhere we looked, it was
>> Everywhere we looked, it was "Take meds, take meds, take
"Take meds, take meds, take meds."
meds."
Six million American children
Six million American children are taking psychiatric drugs.
are taking psychiatric drugs.
>> We have no idea how we got on
>> We have no idea how we got on as many meds as he was on.
as many meds as he was on.
But most have not been tested
But most have not been tested on children.
on children.
>> I don't know what the
>> I don't know what the long-term side effects are going
long-term side effects are going to be for him.
to be for him.
Is this good medicine, or an
Is this good medicine, or an uncontrolled experiment?
uncontrolled experiment?
>> Taking my medication makes me
>> Taking my medication makes me more like I'm supposed to be.
more like I'm supposed to be.
"The Medicated Child."
"Close to Home"
"Close to Home" is available on DVD.
is available on DVD.
To order, visit shopPBS.org, or
To order, visit shopPBS.org, or call 1-800-PLAY PBS.
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Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH
Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
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is made possible by contributions to your PBS
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Thank you.
Thank you.
With major funding from
With major funding from the John D. and Catherine
the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
T. MacArthur Foundation.
Committed to building a more
Committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful
just, verdant and peaceful world.
world.
With additional funding from
With additional funding from the Park Foundation.
the Park Foundation.
Committed to raising public