ATLANTA — An event Saturday allowed people struggling to find work to share their frustrations.
Dozens of organizations hope to help them do something about it.
Two state senators showed up to the event to listen to the discussion.
It started with a panel of unemployed workers, but organizers opened the mics up to those in the crowd.
Their biggest question: where are the jobs?
Dozens of people gathered inside Trinity United Methodist Church to share their frustrations.
Marilynn Winn lost her job after the temp agency she worked for was sold.
She said it will be hard to find another one. "I'm a woman of color, I have a high school education," Winn said.
She also said she spent time in prison for theft.
Tobin Brittian has another problem. "I have a family and benefits is one of my big issues," Brittian said.
What they share in common is a desire to work and an inability to find it.
One of the speakers said its, "not because were lazy, not because we don't want to work, but because there's no work for them to do."
Most of the people in the crowd were men but there were a few women. Some women had their children with them.
"I know the economy's tough. It does look like it's starting to turn and I guess our message is to tell people to keep hope," said Charlie Flemming with the Georgia Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Georgia's unemployment rate is slowly improving, but numbers released this week said it's still more than 10 percent higher than the national average.
"Hopefully things will get better soon," Brittian said.
The event allowed people to get help with their resumes, food stamps and legal assistance.
WSBTV
