Ellington

Brother Hustle: "Welcome to the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group's first meeting of 2014. I started this support group two years ago when the unemployment rate was extremely high, especially for ethnic minorities and seniors. Although the unemployment rate has lowered a bit, individuals who remain jobless continue to be plagued with uncertainty, fear, stress and doubt.

"With support from the Ghetto Science Team's Save the Jobless, Broke and Frustrated Financial Safety Net Program, the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group will execute a series of self-help sessions for recently laid off workers and the long-term unemployed.

"One of the self-help sessions will address the mental-health care needs of the unemployed. Psychologist Judy McBride will moderate this session and help maintain the sanity of jobless individuals who are close to the edge trying not to lose their heads.

"Pookie Peterz, economist and financial adviser, will have a session titled 'When the Bill Collector Rings My Phone Every and All Day.' Pookie will provide helpful debt management and negotiation techniques for long-term jobless individuals.

"A spiritual outlook is very helpful in these scarce and scary times. So I asked Sister Encouragement from the Rev. Cletus Car Sales Broadcast to encourage the people with a self-help session titled 'Lord, Help Me to Hold Out Until My Change Has Come Prayer Vigil.'

"It's time to start this new year off right with a positive outlook and the will to survive, courtesy of the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group."