Job Seeker
Program Coordinator
When Mark Bancuk shared his intention to retire, parish leadership took time to prayerfully assess the future of the Job Seekers Program.
More than 25 years ago, this ministry began at St. Patrick Church as a way to connect job seekers with local employers through in-person job fairs and one on one interactions with local employers. However, with the rise of digital employment platforms and the expanded services of West Michigan Works, the job search process has moved largely online.
New Referral Partnership with “Love In Action” – THRIVE
While the number of new Job Seeker clients has declined in recent years, the needs of those who come to us remain.
With this in mind, and after careful discernment, beginning November 17, 2025, St. Patrick – St. Anthony Parish will begin referring job seekers to the “Love In Action” – THRIVE program.
The THRIVE program is a Christ-centered initiative that provides holistic support to those in need, including:
- Financial literacy and budgeting
- Cooking and nutrition classes
- Personal development and boundary-setting
- Grief and spiritual support
- One-on-one coaching and mentoring
THRIVE has recently committed to expand its employment support services with Job coaching and resume assistance. We believe this new referral partnership will broaden the scope of care available and provide a more integrated, faith-filled approach to serving those in need.
For more information or questions about this transition, please contact Tom Godfrey, Dir. of Finance and Operations at 616-935-8738