In an effort to show the true impact of joblessness, The Washington Post asked six unemployment-affected families (five unemployed people and one fiance of an unemployed man) to participate in a unique project.

The six contributors, a diverse pool from across the country and socioeconomic spectrum, are writing frequent entries about their experiences throughout the summer of 2011. Among the topics covered, the participants are writing about their struggles to pay the bills, preserve relationships and maintain hope for the future.

The “Help Wanted: Stories of Unemployment” project also features audio testimonials from other unemployed Americans and other features.

Also, you can find an expanded description of the Help Wanted project here.