A lot of people are suggesting volunteering. One place you might want to volunteer is with an organization you want to work for. Then they get to know you, and when they do need more help, you’d have a very good chance of getting the job. Either that, or they start feeling so guilty, they find some money to pay you.
Other than that, volunteering for community service organizations is good. If you have an interest like education or health care or recycling or the environment, there are plenty of organizations to work for. In addition, one job where they always have openings is door-to-door canvassing and fundraising. I also graduated during a major recession, and I did that for about four years. It taught me an awful lot about persuading people, and presenting ideas, and about how to ask people for something I want (well, the organization wanted; asking for person stuff is an entirely different issue).
It doesn’t pay well, but you do make a lot of good contacts. Several people I knew back when are now US Congress Members. Community organizing is a good way to get started, especially in a recession, and over a life time, it can lead to very powerful positions.