History of NhNUSA   January 27, 2011 to present 

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​About   Neighbors-helping-Neighbors

Over the 15 years of Neighbors-helping-Neighbors existence we have had in excess of 150 volunteer leaders who led our meetings across NJ, in Boston, DC and Madrid Spain. 85% of our leaders landed jobs and many have keep helping.  www.nhnusa.org

When I started the helping-Veterans chapter we ran meetings and included all veterans in the main stream NhN meetings. AJ Luna and many others have assisted with this area. I accumulated emails of hundreds of individuals, veterans and organizations who supported and helped Veterans. www.helping-Veterans

The Latino's chapter was formed for and by my students at FDU in the Hispanic Center so many of my former students still stay in touch and help me with a wide range of community projects www.helping-latinos.com 
Diana Bermudez ran a meeting group in spanish for the parents of her high school students.

The helping-Women chapter effort came about through a strategic partnership with the Women's Rights Information Center in Englewood, lead by Amira a professional contact who volunteered significant to lead our woman's group and also many of my FDU students went there to help with the weekly meetings.
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Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA and its founder John R. Fugazzie were active members of the White House Faith-based Neighborhood Partnership during the Obama administration, and now again under the Biden Administration who re-established this office which ended 2025.

From long term unemployed to
White House and USDOL advisor See more ​

​6.27.2020 Weekly Toyo Keizai Magazine - Japan
PDF of my four-page article with the magazine cover, saying “Corona Job Crisis.” The majority of the issue is about situations in Japan, though. I quoted you on the third page. You’ll see “NhN USA” and your middle name, “R” in English! My Tokyo-based editor has tried to send us copies of the issue, but mailing services between the U.S. and Japan have been interrupted for the past few months. I haven’t received even a single magazine or mail from Tokyo since the end of March. So at the moment, I’m emailing you.

Misa

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​​01/20/2018
​Support Group Launched In River Edge Has Put Hundreds Back To Work

2.3.14 - Sen. Booker's first floor speech 

Business Talk with Jim Campbell  12-17-2017
Listen in interview here  comes in at 11:00 minutes

​Rapid Reemployment Initiative Launched For Laid-Off Bergen Police

New Year, New Job: River Edge Man's Jobs Group Helps With Transitions

​The New Jersey Council of County Colleges recently presented its 2016 Community College Spirit Award to John Fugazzie for his exemplary support of New Jersey’s community colleges.

​Long-Term Unemployment: The Economy's 'Secret Cancer' ​

​Job Openings Tie All-Time High, But Hiring Declines
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​After months without work, advocate for jobless hired to help other-long term unemployed
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River Edge Advocate For Unemployed: Keep It Real
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​River Edge Professor Rebounds From Economic Crisis, Nominated For Award

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NJ Jobs Program Helps Match Unemployed with Companies/ 
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Grassroots Support Groups for the Unemployed

9.17.15
America’s two economies and the Federal Reserve’s role
Mary Snow explains why the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision matters

​NhNUSA partnership with 
​Westwood Library 
Since Aug.15, 2011 

NhNUSA founding Library
​River Edge Library ​
​Opened January 27, 2011
to September 18, 2014


Thanks to all our former meeting locations over the past 14 years


Westwood
Monmouth Co
Middletown
Women's Rights Info
​Fort Lee
Wayne
Cranford
Waldwick Library
Cresskill
Bergenfield
Oakland
Ridgewood
Fair Lawn
​Dumont
Lodi
Garfield
Hawthorne
Closter
Englewood
Maywood
Howell
Ringwood
​Wanaque
Lake Hiawatha
Maplewood
Mahwah
Warren Co Library
Monroe
Colts Neck
Cliffside Park
Emerson
Oradell
​Rockaway Twp.
​Sussex County
Norwestcap Phillipsburg
Boston Public Library
Mt. Pleasant Wash. DC
ProNet-Orlando FL
Microsoft store Boston
Microsoft Store Bridgewater
Microsoft Store Virginia
Microsoft Store San Diego
Montclair State Univ.
Rutgers Business School MBA
Career Connections
​Cresskill Library
​Raritan Valley CC
​Hudson County CC
Community College of Morris
Bergen Community College
​Hudson County One Stop
Berkeley College - Marcal

5.6.14
Search without reward
MIT conference highlights the plight of the long-term unemployed, a social issue of growing urgency.
MIT Sloan Mini Conference on Long term Unemployed

1.7.14  
John R. Fugazzie on MSNBC with Thomas Roberts 11am
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1.4.14 
John R. Fugazzie on MSNBC with Alex Witt

8.27.13
Set Back by Recession, and Shut Out of Rebound

​2.4.13
Cover story USA Today 
written by Rick Hampson

Video report on River Edge meeting on USA Today

Story was covered by 2nd largest Newspaper in Italy
​Rick Hampson is a national reporter for USA TODAY. Over five decades as a journalist he's covered stories such as the assassination of John Lennon, the trial of John Gotti, the 9/11 attacks, eight national political conventions.

Feb.10, 2013  on "Sonstein Sunday"  Q104.3  Shelli Sonstein
Interview with John Fugazzie and Abby Kohut "Absolutely Abby"

Mar. 24, 2013  on KTU Cares  with Host Cindy Vero
John and Absolutely Abby

Aug,12, 2012  KTU Cares with Cindy Vero
John R. Fugazzie and Absolutely Abby

Media Coverage of Abby
Regular Weekly Guest from on the Road    "Absolutely Abby"  ( Abby Kohut) 
As her nationwide tour travels the country we check in with her each week to talk about the cities and states she is bringing her job search help to.

Abby Across America Tour

Bio:

Abby Kohut, who is known on the web as Absolutely Abby, is the President of Staffing Symphony, LLC. 
In the past 18 years, Abby held positions such as Senior Director of Recruiting for Kaplan, Interim Director of Recruiting for Continuum Health Partners, and Manager of Global Recruiting for Alpharma.
Her website AbsolutelyAbby.com and her book "Absolutely Abby's 101 Job Search Secrets" teaches candidates secrets about the job search process that other recruiters won't tell you. Abby has provided job search tips on Fox 5 Business News, NBC Atlanta, CBS Atlanta LinkedIn, Forbes, USA Today, ABC's Good Morning Connecticut, and the Joe Franklin show on Bloomberg Radio. Abby was selected as one of "The Monster 11 for 2011: Career Experts Who Can Help Your Job Search" and is one of the “Top 100 Influential People Online” according to Fast Company Magazine. Since 2010, Abby has been on a mission to help one million job seekers and is currently driving around the USA on a nationwide tour to accomplish that goal which you can learn more about at www.AbbyAcrossAmerica.com

The specific goals of the grant John R. Fugazzie was pursuing—through the Marigold Ideas For Good contest—were centered around supporting and expanding Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors USA (NhNUSA), the job search support and networking group he founded. Here are the key objectives tied to the grant:

1. Expand NhNUSA's Reach: The grant aimed to help grow the number of library-based locations where NhNUSA meetings are held. At the time, there were 20 locations, with plans to add four more [1].
   
2. Support Job Seekers: NhNUSA provides peer-led weekly meetings to assist individuals in job searches, offering networking opportunities and emotional support during challenging economic times.
   
3. Promote a Pay-It-Forward Model: Members are encouraged to help each other selflessly, creating a community of mutual support.
   
4. Formalize the Organization: The grant would assist in the legal formation of NhNUSA as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with help from Rutgers Law School.
   
5. Celebrate Volunteerism and Community Impact: The grant recognized the volunteer efforts that led to 750 members and 151 success stories in just 18 months.
   

References
[1] Fugazzie's Good Idea Could Net $5,000 Grant for NHN - Patch

https://patch.com/new-jersey/newmilford-nj/fugazzie-s-good-idea-could-net-5-000-grant-for-nhn-d252d927

Old Site Host March 2025- March 2013