Unless you're ready to start shelling out (for who knows how long) and are willing to risk their humiliation of your offering, you can't do much. They're grown-ups, apparently do have some savings, and I'm sure if you simply ask if there's anything you can do (don't get specific or push it - you may end up not liking the result) then you've done your bit, and it's not your responsibility to do more, plus they probably have other friends and family as well.

You could invite their kids to do little things with yours -- making clear it's your treat. That, and continuing to be friendly, seems 'just right'. You'd be helping, but not overstepping.

When my father left us and my mother was keeping things together with gum and paperclips, neighbors with a girl my age frequently invited me to go out to Sunday dinner with them. They said I was 'company' for their daughter. I never realized this was a good deed until I was grown.

i would jus tlend whatever moral support you can. there may come a time when they NEED more than that, but if so they will ask. if either of them is handy, maybe hire them for some light work aroudn the house. but until they ask, it is best to not mention their financial situation.

I think offering support and inviting their children over to play (and take to the movies, museums, etc.) are ways of DOING things. You could also simply invite the family over for dinner so the kids can play and you could socialize.

Recently, a close friend of mine was told she would be laid off after the holidays. We work in somewhat the same field, so I asked for her resume. I ended up not submitting her resume at my office (hiring freeze). Instead, after asking her permission, I redid her resume. In this case, it was a very close friend, otherwise I would not have presumed to do what I did. (Good news she got two job offers within 2 weeks and turned down several interviews - this woman had incredible experience but she didn't market herself well)

When I was job-searching, my friends also shopped my resume. We weren't necessarily in the exact same field, but it didn't hurt to pass around my resume to see if anything happened. In the end, I mainly got moral support and a wonderful feeling that people care about me and that went a long way.

Suggest that they try cold calling. In other words have your friends select likely employers who may need their skills then call and submit their resumes. I work at a corporate headquarters that has six unadvertised opening just in my department alone. All of these positions will be filled by word of mouth and people who know how to cold call and effectively network.

davidandkasie - what a good idea to hire the dad to do jobs! He is super-handy and has built some amazing things in their house like built in cabinents in the bedrooms & finished the basement. I do have jobs I could hire him to do at my house. THANKS for the idea!

Thanks to every one else for your ideas, too! I have taken their kids to outings for years & will continue to do so.

The above ideas are all great. Could you hire the mom to do anything? Maybe even babysitting? Is there a way you can suggest that they sign up with a staffing agency or look into finding a recruiter to help with their job search?

Don't worry about now being in their field with regards to networking. It's all about who you know & who your contacts know. I'm looking for a job & have passed my resume to people who aren't remotely in the same field as me. You never know which of your contacts might have a lead that could result in a job.