Innovative Employment Center Opens in Charles County, Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waldorf, Maryland, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 16, 2011 -- It’s a match made in economic heaven: Bring together businesses that need employees or help with projects with people who are looking for work. Charles County, Maryland residents and business owners alike now have the chance to take advantage of this kind of matchmaking, thanks to a new program called “Free Time to Overtime” - http://www.freetimetoovertime.com.

Local entrepreneur R. Gore Bolton started the program as a way to assist local entrepreneurs who need help in their businesses, while at the same time help those looking for work to find jobs. The concept behind Free Time to Overtime involves matching Charles County entrepreneurs or business owners needing projects completed or positions filled with those county residents willing and qualified to do the work.

Bolton started Free Time to Overtime so that entrepreneurs have the ability to tap the large talent pool in the county at one defined location: The Bolton Building in downtown La Plata. Those looking for employment, meantime, know that the potential exists for a day’s work—or more—at one location. Opportunities offered to those looking for work come in the form of both paid and internship positions from local entrepreneurs.

Bolton, a past president of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce and College of Southern Maryland Chief Executive Officer of the year, says he’s calling the program “Free Time to Overtime,” because of the stigma carried by the words “unemployed” or “underemployed.”

“I just got tired of hearing those words, so I prefer to think of what these qualified people have as ‘free time,’” he said. “Once they start working for these companies and businesspeople, they’ll hopefully become full-timers and potentially even ‘over-timers.’ By participating in the program, those people who have some or a lot of free time gain dignity through working for local businesses.”

Besides securing opportunities for work, those who visit the center can also create face-to-face relationships in their local community that are important than sitting in front of a computer screen and submitting resumes at job-related Websites.

“It’s the original social networking—actually socializing and spending time with other human beings,” Bolton. “It creates a sense of community and belonging. It fills the needs of the human spirit, which in turn allows workability and coaching to exist.”

At the same time, those who are underemployed help local businesspeople and entrepreneurs grow their businesses. In this way, both sides win through their association with the center.

Free Time to Overtime seeks to work in partnership with federal, state and local government programs, as well as other non profits. The niche is really the underemployed being in front of and helping entrepreneurs grow successful businesses.

The program is already gaining interest in the region from people looking for innovative ways to work and get work done. Bolton has teamed up with Mike Zabko, a long time trusted executive director of non-profit initiatives in the area. Zabko will be the start-up’s Executive Director, running the day to day mission of the program.

“We are very excited to try new things to longstanding problems, and get our underemployed back to full operation,” said Zabko. “Our place gives them the ability to earn some income, learn new things, and collaborate with like-minded people.”
 
Free Time to Overtime is now open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in The Bolton Building, 107 Centennial Street, Suite 209 in La Plata. People looking for work and entrepreneurs alike, as well as those who want to volunteer to help the center’s mission, are encouraged to stop by.

“After all, showing up is more than half the battle,” Bolton added.

CONTACT:
Mike Zabko
Executive Director, Free Time to Overtime
(612) JOB-ZONE
mzabko@freetimetoovertime.com
http://www.freetimetoovertime.com

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