United Way of the Midlands & Richland Library Co-host Breaking Barriers Employment Resource Fair on October 23rd
Staff Report From Columbia CEO
Thursday, October 18th, 2018
United Way of the Midlands and Richland Library will co-host the third annual Breaking Barriers Employment Resource Fair on Tuesday, October 23 from 9 a.m. – noon at Richland Library (1431 Assembly Street).
The event, hosted in partnership with Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH), encourages those experiencing barriers to secure long-term employment and the potential for advancement. Barriers to obtaining good jobs typically include lack of higher education, homelessness, lack of transportation, physical disabilities or a criminal background.
“Breaking Barriers was created to reduce impediments to employment and provide resources that allow members in the community to move along a path of self-sufficiency and financial stability. Richland Library is a valued partner in our fight to improve economic mobility,” said Sara Fawcett, President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands.
“The core of Richland Library’s mission is access to all,” said Lee Patterson, Social Work Manager, Richland Library. “Our staff works tirelessly to remove barriers that inhibit Midlands residents from connecting with resources, services and programs that will enhance their lives.”
In addition, a Breaking Barriers Career Readiness Workshop will be offered on Thursday, October 18 from 10 – 11 a.m. at Richland Library. The workshop will give valuable tips on what companies are looking for and how to stand out at the employment fair. Attendees of this workshop will receive a free voucher for business clothing from area nonprofits.
Participating employers are located in Columbia, Lexington, Newberry and West Columbia and include Babcock Center, IH Services, Kraft Heinz, Onin Staffing, SC Department of Transportation, SC Works, Sysco, TRC Staffing Services, US Foods, Waffle House, and more.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with employment resource providers with programs focused on education and job skills training, career development and money management. Employee resource providers attending the fair include Able SC, BB&T Operation Hope, Bank On Columbia, Lexington School District 2 and 4, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, Needful Things, Project NAS (Not A Statistic), YouthBuild Columbia, and many more.
Both the Career Readiness Workshop and Breaking Barriers Employment Fair are free events open to the public. Registration to attend as a company seeking employees or employment resource providers is open through Friday, October 19, 3:00 p.m.