Holy Archangels Job and Networking Ministry
Losing a job or facing career uncertainty can feel overwhelming. The Holy Archangels Parish Job & Networking Ministry at Holy Archangels Parish (Hoffman Estates, Illinois) exists to provide practical tools, encouragement, and Christian fellowship to help people regain their footing.
The group began as the St. Hubert Job & Networking Ministry, in 2003, and has grown into a strong community that has helped an estimated 20,000 people find new employment opportunities. Today, it continues as Holy Archangels Parish Job & Networking Ministry and offers its services entirely free of charge.
The Ministry provides:
- Christian fellowship and support
- Job networking opportunities and support groups
- Career skills presentations
- Resume preparation and critiques
- Interview coaching
- Job fair opportunities and information about area employment openings
“We want to prepare people to face the challenges of a job search and shorten the time of unemployment or underemployment,” explains Tiffany Kochanski, one of the core volunteers.
“Being unemployed is very scary. You feel like you’re in a financial free fall, not knowing what to do. A support system like this Ministry is very comforting.”
Kochanski began volunteering with the Ministry in 2017, first posting events online to increase visibility. She now manages the Ministry’s free job board, LinkedIn presence, and Facebook page to ensure opportunities reach as many people as possible. She also produces a monthly newsletter for libraries and job seekers, which includes resources and upcoming events.
The Ministry meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Holy Archangels Parish, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (CST). Each session starts with a professional networking period during which participants introduce themselves and share the kind of work they are seeking. These introductions often spark new ideas, connections, or leads. The evening then features a formal presentation focused on a topic relevant to job seekers, such as salary negotiations or LinkedIn best practices. Meetings are hybrid, allowing attendees to participate in person at the parish or online via Zoom, and have drawn as many as 30 participants between both formats.
For Kochanski, the work is rooted in her faith. Years ago, she attended a job support group. It gave her clarity and confidence to pursue self-employment. Each week, participants shared their goals and progress, which kept them accountable and motivated. That experience shaped the way she now helps others. Her faith and skills in digital media give her an opportunity to serve people when they need it most.
Partnerships with employment agencies and local libraries expand the Ministry’s outreach for its services, allowing it to send job postings to hundreds of job seekers. Employers regularly send opportunities directly to the Ministry, which shares them on a free job board seen by about 250 people on a daily basis
The Ministry’s impact often unfolds quietly but powerfully. “We see people for a while, and then suddenly, they stop showing up,” Kochanski says. “And that’s the best outcome—because it means they’ve landed a new job thanks to the tools, coaching, and connections they found here.”
Looking ahead, Kochanski hopes the ministry will gain even more visibility. “There are so many people out there, many people are ‘open to work’ on LinkedIn or elsewhere. We want them to know we’re here to walk with them through tough times. Watching someone regain confidence and hope in a new role is incredibly rewarding.
The Holy Archangels Parish Job & Networking Ministry can be reached by email, at [email protected], or via phone/text at 708.232.6535.
