For many people, the foundation to a successful life is having a job with a stable income. But for people with a criminal record, a job isn’t always something they can easily attain.
That is why the city, along with the American Job Center and Father to the Fatherless, is hosting its fifth New Life Job Fair at the East Gate Town Center, with Thursday being the prep day and Friday being the job fair.
“We are fighting for those whose voice has been muted by their current circumstance,” said Troy Rogers, the city’s public safety coordinator. “Everybody has a purpose and assignment for which they were born, and as we aid people in finding that, we will create an atmosphere of overcoming in our community.”
In 2014, men with criminal records account for about 34 percent of all nonworking men ages 25 to 54, according to a recent New York Times/CBS News/Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
Those in attendance Thursday will be taught how to prepare resumes, dress professionally and interview effectively. They also will have access to free haircuts and clothing for job interviews the next day.