With Unemployment Benefits In Limbo, Jobless Advocate Heads to White House

By Devin McGinley
Ridgewood Patch

Part out of necessity, John Fugazzie has developed an expertise in the last three years on the issues challenging the Great Recession's long-term unemployed.

As Washington dives into debate this week over an extension of unemployment benefits to that group of long-displaced workers, the Neighbors Helping Neighbors founder heads to the White House Wednesday to deliver what to him has become a familiar message.

"My economic decline started a long time ago," Fugazzie said. "This isn't a new thing for me."