Diocese looks to help RI unemployed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Hoping to help the growing number of unemployed people in Rhode Island, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence is taking action of its own.

It is offering to run help wanted ads for free in its weekly newspaper, Rhode Island Catholic.

"This is a small effort hopefully to connect some employers and some people looking for work," said Bishop Thomas Tobin, Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

Bishop Tobin said as Rhode Island faces one of the worst unemployment rates in the country, the need is great for any type of assistance.

Rhode Island Catholic reaches 30,000 homes each week. The free ads will start running in the paper by the end of January.

"We have no idea what the response will be, it's very hard to predict. But if we can help a few individuals, a few families, that'll be worthwhile," Tobin said.