'One Job for America' Sparks Grassroots Movement, Urges Private Sector to Commit to Job Growth

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - May 19, 2011) - Based on the simple, elegant premise that the U.S. employment picture can improve if every business creates just one new job, One Job for America has focused fresh attention on ways to put our country back to work. It has also started a call-to-action that has inspired a growing number of U.S. businesses.

To date, over 180 companies in 38 states have answered One Job for America's call to add one job to their ranks. More than 60 newly minted employees are already at work, with more in the pipeline. And momentum is growing. "Even one new job changes lives," says One Job founder Carla Emil. "My hope is that One Job for America can benefit individuals and their families not just financially, but by restoring a sense of optimism about the future." Continues Emil, "By sharing each success, our aim is to foster dialogue and encourage a groundswell of ideas about jobs creation."

Building on Emil's original idea, she and her husband, well-known advertising executive Rich Silverstein, quickly developed the framework and website for the effort. Companies who make the pledge are guided through a brief registration process before being added to the One Job for America list. One Job maintains contact as participating companies seek appropriate candidates and fill each position.

Carla Javits, President of REDF, a venture philanthropy organization that creates jobs for thousands in need, comments, "Putting people to work kick-starts the economy and builds hope and confidence. One Job for America could be the spark that inspires uncertain employers to hire for the future. We can already see the impact when employers add even one job."

Businesses that have made the One Job commitment include those from manufacturing, retail, home healthcare, automotive, hospitality, advertising, and Internet services. Many of these employers consider the One Job call-to-action their personal "tipping point" to invest in new hires.

Unemployment numbers remain high, and the number of new claims for unemployment insurance benefits recently leaped to nearly a half million, surprising most analysts. However, 268,000 jobs were added by the private sector, according to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics.

About One Job for America

One Job for America went live in spring 2011 to spread a simple message of hope to business owners: a pledge to create a single job can make a difference. Companies interested in joining can visit www.onejobforamerica.org for more information, or take the pledge right away. People not responsible for hiring can spread the message to their friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter with a single click.