YACHAD ANNOUNCES SECOND JOB FAIR TO PROVIDE GREATER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CANDIDATES, AUGUST 29 IN LOWER MANHATTAN
In response to popular demand, Yachad/The National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD) announces a second Job Fair to provide greater employment opportunities for people with special needs. Held in conjunction with the Orthodox Union Job Board, the event will take place on Thursday, August 29 at from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at 40 Broad Street in Lower Manhattan.
To better accommodate the flow of attendees, the Job Fair will be divided into two time slots: from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., and from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. Job seekers, service providers, parents, etc. will be allowed to select a time slot upon registration. A confirmation email and E-ticket will be sent noting details. Job seekers are encouraged to bring a professional resumé.
Registration is requested at {encode=”http://yachadjobfair.eventzilla.net/” title=”http://YachadJobFair.eventzilla.net”}.
Yachad, an agency of the Orthodox Union, provides unique social, educational and recreational programs for individuals with learning, developmental and physical disabilities with the goal of their Inclusion in the total life of the Jewish community.
The Fair is organized by the Jewish Union Foundation (JUF), whose mission, in partnership with Yachad, is to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, by making them as independent and as productive in society as possible.
“Yachad’s first Job Fair was ‘sold out,’ said Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, international director of Yachad/NJCD. “This is not surprising, given that more than two-thirds of adults with disabilities are unemployed. What a waste of amazing potential! And so a huge challenge to which we are responding—and we hope that employers will respond—is because we know that we have very special individuals with very significant abilities who are supported by an amazing organization that brings people together—Yachad!”
Thirty-eight individuals found employment at the first Yachad Job Fair held in March. Of the 350-400 job seekers in attendance, 91 percent of respondents from the March Fair said the Fair was helpful in their job search. Altogether, 87 percent planned to attend another Yachad Job Fair. “Vendors were extremely gracious and welcoming,” wrote a participant. “This fair was helpful for me and I think this is a good thing you’re doing,” wrote another.
“Individuals and their support groups (family members, group homes etc.) felt this was a unique opportunity for the individual to ‘be in the spotlight’ without competing with the outside world for jobs,” said Jack Gourdji, JUF executive director. “They felt the companies truly judged them for their potential capabilities and that they had solid opportunities to land a position.”
Employers at the March Fair included The Kale Factory Inc.; Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Lowes; Cravings restaurant; Floreti Design; Americare; GoodTemps; Room to Grow; Avenue M Computers; Primerica Financial Solutions; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Sweet Dream Farm; CVS; Midwood Development Corp.; and Aqua Filter Plus. The March Fair also featured approximately 100 service coordinators representing 30 agencies.
Mr. Gourdji noted, “Multiple support groups told us that the individuals were very excited the morning of the Job Fair and that they were thrilled with the opportunity to meet companies. Companies were happy for different reasons—some because they met good qualified candidates and others because it just made them feel good they were helping the developmental disability population.”
He continued, “Many of those in attendance at the first Job Fair inquired on their way out when we would be holding our next job fair. The literally hundreds of supportive comments made to us during, and soon after the job fair, made a very easy decision to hold another one.”
To register as an employer or candidate for employment, contact 212-613-8320 or {encode=”mailto:jufjobs@ou.org” title=”jufjobs@ou.org”}.
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