Looking for work?
Consider the Gloucester County Reentry Job and Resource Fair on Friday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) gymnasium in Sewell.
Job seekers welcomed will include those trying to return to the workforce after being incarcerated. Applicants should be prepared for a possible immediate interview.
“This fair is an opportunity for justice-involved individuals to meet with reentry friendly employers and access resources needed for their success. Research shows that recidivism rates are cut in half for returning citizens when they become gainfully employed,” said Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Heather Simmons.
“Full-time, stable employment is one of the ways to end recidivism,” added Commissioner Jim Jefferson, pointing out that the three main things people need after being released are treatment, employment and housing.
“It’s the chase of not knowing where to go,” he explained. “The fair is like one-stop shopping, with employment opportunities and information about mental-health services, housing services, social services and other resources available.”
Jefferson is thrilled about changes in a private sector that will give people a second chance.
“They are ready, willing and looking forward to hiring them,” noted Jefferson, adding that RCSJ has been an excellent partner and is working to get people back in the educational field.
“By securing full-time employment that is high quality, stable, and long term, people attain economic security,” Simmons offered. “Achieving economic security provides reentry individuals with self-esteem, a positive sense of identity and ultimately a more stable lifestyle out of crime.”
Simmons said events like the county job fair and other resources for targeted audiences are open to all, including veterans and the disabled. The goal is to help people secure full-time, stable employment that brings them dignity and a sense of purpose, and also helps them take steps toward economic security.
“These events also offer the wraparound services that help them make their positive life choices sustainable,” Simmons observed. “These include things like transportation, affordable housing, education and training and social services resources.”
Companies at the fair will include:
ABM Industries, Advanced Traffic Control, Amazon, Amcor, Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, Atlantic City Electric, Americold, Bright Lights USA Inc., Camden Yards Steel Co., Cathedral Kitchen, City Year Philadelphia, Delaware River Bay Authority, EMR Group USA, ESS, Family Resource Network, FedEx Ground, First Harvest Fed Cred, Goodwill, Heritages Dairy Stores and Integrity Staffing.
Also represented will be J&J Snack Foods, Kelly Services, Liscio’s Bakery, Lloyds of Millville, U.S. Marines, McDonalds, Mullica Gardens Assisted Living, NJ Casino Control, OMEGA Engineering, Rizzieri Aveda School, Samaritan NJ, Seafarers International, SERPVPRO, ServiceMaster by Alliance, Sheet Metal Workers, Taylor Care Adult Behavioral, Taylor Farms NJ, The Parker Group, Truist Bank, Iron Workers 399, Rutgers, Hunderford & Terry Inc., and Habitat for Humanity.
The fair is sponsored by New Jersey courts, Rowan College of South Jersey, the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners and the Workforce Development Board.
The RCSJ gymnasium is at 1400 Tanyard Road in Sewell.
