Unemployment rate rising among African Americans - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

With the unemployment numbers among African Americans at a high, many churches and organizations have pitched in to do what they can.

According to the Department of Labor, overall unemployment remained at 8.2 percent in June. In the African-American community, that number increased by almost a point to 14.4 percent, from 13.6 percent in May.  

The news comes as no surprise to 27-year-old Russell Patterson. He's been out of work for three months. Patterson used to work in HIV prevention but says he's seeing he may have to make a career change and that may not even help.

This crisis in the community now even has churches like Victory for the World doing what they can to help.  Pastor Kenneth Samuel says he believes it's a lack of opportunity.

"It is so hurtful to hear that in the black community, the unemployment rate has jumped 1 percent among people who are already hurting," said Samuel.

For years now, Samuel has asked his congregation to help one another. He says every little bit helps. Samuel said that he is asking people who have or know of job opportunities to come forward and let others know.

Samuel believes the problem is a lack of opportunity for the African-American community. He says that, coupled with people lacking the qualifications for many of the jobs out there, has really hurt them. He says by keeping faith and helping one another is how everyone will make it through this.