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Tampa Group Helping Real Estate Workers Rebound, Rebuild

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2009

TAMPA - A new volunteer organization aims to help a hard-hit slice of the workforce affected by the downturn in the housing industry rebound and rebuild on a personal and professional level.

Real Estate Lives, spearheaded by Tampa lawyer Ron Weaver, is working to create a free online network of counseling, job training and job placement opportunities for real estate agents and industry-related professionals.

The organization formed in November, when a group of people in the real estate industry became concerned about friends, family members and colleagues who were laid off or otherwise affected by the recession.

"We want to do what we can to help," Weaver said. "That might mean helping them and their families with their most immediate needs, or it might be helping them find education or retraining programs. Ultimately, our goal is to get them back into a job that they can be proud of — in or out of real estate, within an hour of home."

Local professional organizations and institutions that have signed on to provide free services or tools for the nonprofit group include current and former local chapter presidents of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Commercial Real Estate Women, the League of Women Voters, Hillsborough Community College, University of South Florida, Hillsborough County School Board, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Hillsborough County Social and Health Services, United Way, Tampa Bay Workforce Board Alliance and SunTrust Banks.

The group is assessing the needs of the people it intends to help, screening job opportunities, planning workshops and connecting those in need with others who can help.

For information or to request assistance, go to www.realestatelives.org.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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