Hobbs and jobs for my wife (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: rent, homes, find a job)

[Morphx2]

Hello,

My wife and I recently married back in July and we had to move from Miami to Santa Fe for 2 months, and then to Hobbs for my state job. She is going through the immigration process so she is not allowed to work. Are there any jobs though around in Hobbs where she can at least volunteer or any small stores where she could work? We are having a tough time finding something for her

[Sarahsez]

I didn't live in Hobbs so I don't know any specifics. I would think there should be plenty of volunteer work needed. Check out the needs at thrift stores, food bank, and soup kitchens. You might call the Chamber of Commerce to see if they have any needs. The parks system may need someone to paint over graffiti or pick up trash. Check with the local churches too.

Here's a link to the Hobbs Habitat for Humanity. WWW.HOBBSHABITAT.ORG

If she has a specific career in mind, you might call around to the businesses in town to see if they would allow her to do an unpaid internship. She'd be making contacts and building up her resume while going through the immigration process.

Good Luck!

[Minathebrat]

Those are awesome ideas Sarah!
Other ideas: animal shelters often look for volunteers and there might be other animal groups that are specific to Hobbs.
She'd have to call to find out details, but oftentimes maternity wards in hospitals look for volunteers to spend time with preemies and other babies, and nursinghomes or other care homes look for volunteers to spend time with the people who live there. Also, big brothers, big sisters is a wonderful program.
Volunteering is a great way to get involved with the community!

Cheers!

[Pintada Kid]

Plus the Experience she gets might be where they will hire her when she decides to work and it will look good on her resume for whatever job she applies for. el pintada kid

[mainiac]

My husband took a job in the area over a year ago. I, too, thought I would be able to do some volunteer work but after many, many phone calls and emails I gave up. I've lived in many places and now live outside the US but I've never been anywhere like Hobbs. I found the people to be quite unfriendly and there was simply nothing to do. We finally decided that I would leave and he would fly home occasionally. I found out afterward that his boss and his wife had the same arrangement because she couldn't handle Hobbs either. It's far from a perfect arrangement but better than talking myself out of suicide each day.

When I first read all the negative posts about Hobbs I felt that the people posting just had incredibly negative attitudes. In the end, I think they really understated how difficult it is for anyone who hasn't been brought up there to adjust. Hobbs is as far from Santa Fe as it is from NYC. They are different worlds, both physically and culturally. Santa Fe is a beautiful, mountainous, vibrant, culturally alive city. Hobbs has a race track and casino for entertainment. The air is perfumed with sulfur and the flat landscape is reminiscent of the moon. A cultural event is a trip to WalMart.

We also had a landlord who felt the only responsiblity was to collect the rent. They never returned an overpayment OR the security deposit when we moved out but they thought nothing of upping the rent $200 a month after six months. They also didn't cut the grass although they said they would so we had to go out and buy a lawnmower once the grass got to be about a foot tall. These are Christian people. Or that is the line they preach.

I'll NEVER go back to Hobbs.

[Morphx2]

Update! My wife got her employment authorization card to work here in the US now! So she can work almost anywhere now! Wohoo, just have to find her a job she will enjoy

[LongTimeBob]

First of all, Morphx2, WELCOME. I think you will find people here to be outwardly friendly (most of them anyway). Your post is full of questions and I will attempt to answer them as best I can this late at night.

I have lived here over 35 years. I am not a native "Hobbsan". I grew up in Albuquerque and still have family ties to central and northern NM.

However, I have come to know that there are some real opportunities here for anyone willing to work.

You mentioned that your wife is going thru the immigration process. Best wishes to her on that. It shows initiative, as does her willingness to volunteer if there is no job she can do at present.

While your post is lacking in specifics as to experience and/or qualifications/degrees, if any, let me suggest that if she is willing to work, to look around and see what businesses are here that she has experience in.

Since you are an employee of the State of New Mexico, let me tell you there are some very nice and dedicated people at the New Mexico State Department of Labor who's job it is to try to find employment for people who want to work and have qualifications.

However, as you are no doubt aware, the best way to find a job is to 'find a need and fill it'.

I would love to explore this further with you. If you wish to reveal your wifes' experience and qualifications, I will try to steer her to employment opportunities here that match.

As to volunteering, let me tell you, there are places in need of help all over town. Agencies that help kids, agencies that help the poor, agencies that help the aged, they are here.

And frankly, even if she finds gainfull paid employment, there is nothing to prevent her from volunteering anyway.

I don't know this list's rules about private off-list replies. I will give you my personal email address later if it is permitted.

Hope this helps in some way,

LongTimeBob

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by Morphx2

Hello,

My wife and I recently married back in July and we had to move from Miami to Santa Fe for 2 months, and then to Hobbs for my state job. She is going through the immigration process so she is not allowed to work. Are there any jobs though around in Hobbs where she can at least volunteer or any small stores where she could work? We are having a tough time finding something for her

There are literally thousands of illegal immigrants working in all sorts of jobs. It does surprise me that she wouldn't be able to obtain a green card, or whatever the working permit is now called, since she's married to a legal resident of the USA.

WHOOPS - I made the classic mistake of writing that before reading the following:

Originally Posted by Morphx2

Update! My wife got her employment authorization card to work here in the US now! So she can work almost anywhere now! Wohoo, just have to find her a job she will enjoy

Congratulations to your wife and best of luck to the two of you in your future lives.