Job Fair Outcome 6/5/08

Arbor Education and Training in conjunction with DHS (Department of Homeless Services, HRA (Human Resources Administration) held a general sector job fair held at L.I.F.E. on June 5, 2008 which was very inspirational. This was actually a city wide initiative that included a Employers Breakfast with presentations by ;
HRA Business Link, Employer Incentives Program, Marc Brodsky
HRA Assistant Deputy Commissioner Raymond Singleton
HRA Commissioner Robert Doar
DHS Associate Commissioner of Transitional Services Julia Moten
DHS Commissioner Robert Hess
Arbor Chief Operating Officer, Diane Rath
Arbor President, Paul Dunn
Arbor Regional Vice President, Ruth Vaala-Strong

Many of the attendees had the opportunity to meet employers face to face as they interviewed and competed for jobs. Upon entering the fair, attendees appeared to be prepared as they were dressed for success with their resumes handy. The Arbor & L.I.F.E. staffs designed this event in order for attendees to visualize the many different opportunities they have as it relates to employment and making career transitions. By providing attendees with this forum allowed the staff to take snap shots of participants “now” in their current states as well as in the “future”. As one of the Field Manager’s for Arbor’s Work Advantage Program, I constantly promote the importance of each consumer taking total control of their lives. It is this type of motivation, support and concern that gives residents hope to strive for excellence.

We are in the business of social work and helping others become empowered should be our daily motive. Seeing the excitement on the faces of attendees gave me a sense of accomplishment. Society can be very neglectful to some, but witnessing the level of energy and involvement on the attendees behalf only further proves that people want to be helped and challenged if done in a empathetic helpful manner. The atmosphere was filled with job seekers looking to establish employment and those employers searching to enlist the perfect staff for their perspective businesses. Throughout the duration of the fair, it was a site to see participants employing the many skills and character traits they have developed as a result of attending Arbor’s job preparation workshops. Furthermore, each attendee truly experienced the benefits of possessing transferable skills. Participants also displayed their networking abilities as the entire day was very interactive.

The primary benefits for attendees was to establish employment and meet and network with New York City and New York State employers and career professionals, but they left with such a wealth of information. Various employers and career professionals such as; WAMU, TMA, Sunny Side, Security Works, Inc., Sacs Inc., Reliable Community Care, People Care Inc., OPMI, NYCES, NYC DCAS, NY State Police, NY Army National Guard, New Era Employment, Netpique, HRA, Business Link, Global Business Institute, FJC Security, First Care, Fed Ex Ground, Fed Cap Homecare, Dress Barn, Dagostino’s, CP International, Citi Bank, Citi Health, Central Harlem Crisis Center, BX WF1 CC, Brooklyn Workforce 1 Innovations, Brooklyn Chambers of Commerce, Arbor E&T, Arbor WF1, Allen Health Care, Addie Mae Collins Head Start New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department, New York City Department of Corrections, New York City Department of Sanitation, Cablevison, Chase Bank, Good Temps, ASA College, Cornell University, All Metro Health Care, Ace Computers and Paradise Shops were just a few of the vendors who supported the affair.

Overall, the outcome was a success. Everyone who attended the event was a winner and was able to accomplish their goals for the day. On behalf of the Arbor L.I.F.E staffs, I would like to thank all those who participated in this ground breaking event. The Arbor and L.I.F.F. staffs have already began planning the next job fair for the month of October 2008, see you there.

Written By: Mr. Billips (Field Manager)
Photos By: Ms. Marquez (Career Specialist)