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Contact: Lydia Agro, Boston Housing Authority, 617-988-4109
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The Boston Housing Authority’s Economic Development & Supportive Services (EDSS) Program sponsored a job fair and expo for residents of the Mary Ellen McCormack, Old Colony and West Broadway housing developments. The job fair took place at the Iron Workers Local 7, 195 Old Colony Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was a collaboration between the BHA, the South Boston tenant task forces, JobNet Career Center and the South Boston Resource Center. Close to 100 job seekers met with the 15 employers and 7 training, education, and supportive service providers.
A number of local employers including several from the South Bay Mall attended in the hopes of hiring new employees from the group of participants. In addition, employers who attended the BHA’s first EDSS Job Fair in June, 2000 signed on to return, including UPS, City Year, Argenbright Security, Associated Day Care, and CVS.
While many attendees come prepared to start jobs immediately, others hope to meet with the Employment Advocates who work at the housing developments to assist them with employment and training-related services.
“This is just the beginning of many ongoing activities to help our residents find good jobs and improve their lives,” said Gloribell Mota, the Employment Advocate at the Mary Ellen McCormack Tenant Task Force. Mota is one of six employment advocates working as part of the EDSS Program, which is an unemployment to work program at the Boston Housing Authority that is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Access to opportunity is an important step in the transition from un- and under-employment to economic empowerment. I am hopeful that we can do much more to facilitate this transition,” said Ron Marlow, BHA Director of Community Services.
Additionally, career counselors from the JobNet Career Center and the South Boston Resource Center assisted attendees with job applications and information regarding training and other services related to employment needs.
Workshops are ongoing during the event on job-related topics such as education and training opportunities, resume critiques and interview tips, and the status of the current job market. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about potential career and occupational pathways as well as ways to make the transition from welfare to work easier. Child care and transportation information was available as well.
For more information on the EDSS Program or future events in the area involving the task forces and the neighborhood, please call Rachel Goodman, EDSS Program Manager at (617) 988-4299.
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