WASHINGTON – On Saturday, November 18th, MidCity and the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) hosted their first ever career fair at the Israel Baptist Church in the Brentwood neighborhood of Washington D.C. The event brought together 44 businesses and community benefit organizations with over 185 job seekers from across the District, including many Brookland Manor residents.
Employers at the fair spanned the retail, security, armed services, construction, property management, hospitality, health, and restaurant industries. Employers collected applications and even conducted on-the-spot interviews.
“Our mission at MidCity goes far beyond housing. We work every day to improve the community we serve here at Brookland Manor, and this career fair has opened doors of opportunity for many residents and connected them with critical resources,” said MidCity’s Director of Community Relations, Dr. Robert Johns. “We would like to thank all those who participated in this year’s career fair, and we are looking forward to hosting another in 2018.”
The RIA Resident Committee, comprised of Brookland Manor residents supportive of the redevelopment, also had an informational booth at the event.
Local community organizations and representatives from Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s office and Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office also attended. Many groups provided education services, like mentoring for the G.E.D. and college prep, as well as mental and physical health referrals. The Community Services Foundation also distributed no-cost professional attire on site.
D.C.’s Department of Employment Services had their Workforce on Wheels (W.O.W.) team on location. The cutting-edge mobile service operation prepares District residents for employment opportunities and connects businesses with qualified applicants. Attendees could access the DOES job search website as well as receive resume assistance and interview prep.