Katrina Launch

From the Desk Of:                                                       From the Desk Of:

Duane Keesen                                                              Susan Keesen

Keesen Enterprises, Inc.                                               FEWA Foundation FEWA Board Chairman                                               Board President

Dear Friend(s),

It is with sad but healing heart that Susan and I appeal to you today.  We have all been touched in some way by the tragedy that befell the citizens of New Orleans.  FEWA in cooperation with a growing number of other associations, charities and small business owners are now poised to help many of the displaced families rebuild their lives by matching willing workers with willing employers—the foundation of our association.

As a member of this association family, we all collectively took part in a successful national campaign to change the law when the H-2B program was shut down.  We can now channel the success of the networks we established to do something extraordinary to ease the suffering we see in the aftermath of the storm.  As concerned FEWA members, Duane and I urge you to join us in establishing a network to help the evacuees find new jobs to replace the jobs they lost as the waters rose in New Orleans. 

We are an association formed to ensure businesses get the workforces they need to get and stay competitive.  In the face of this tragedy, we should be prepared to not only help, but to play a leading role in the national effort to help get our fellow Americans working again.  Please help by listing your current or planned job openings with the Katrina Job Network. 

If you have a job open right now—whether full- or part-time, peakload or seasonal—allow us to tell a displaced worker about it by listing it in our job bank.  Even if your job doesn’t start for another month or so, knowing a job is waiting for them will bring purpose back into the lives of these willing American workers.

For the first 100 FEWA members whose openings are filled by a Katrina Job Network worker, the FEWA Foundation will make a contribution to the CWLA Katrina Kids Fund in your company’s name.  CWLA, the Child Welfare League of America, will use this fund to help children whose lives were shattered by Katrina.  And children, as you know, are a vital component of the Foundation’s mission.

If you have a job, list it with the Katrina Job Network.  If you know of someone who has a job, ask them to list it with us.  Please join Duane and I in spreading the word and encouraging employers to list job opportunities so displaced families can get back to work!

Friend(s), Susan and I have enclosed an official Katrina Job Network employment listing form on the Katrina Job Network website. 

Thank you for your participation.

Warmest Regards,

Duane Keesen                                                           Susan Keesen

FEWA Chairman of the Board                                 FEWA Foundation Board President