Virtual job fair series for returning citizens and job-seekers announced

As part of the City of Boston’s commitment to an equitable economic recovery, Mayor Kim Janey today announced a virtual job fair series designed to help justice-involved individuals and other job-seekers access job openings, job search skills, educational opportunities, and other resources. The events, held 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday in October, come at a critical time in the City’s recovery, following the recent expiration of expanded federal unemployment benefits for many residents.

“As the City’s economy rebounds and more employers are hiring, we need to be sure our workers are ready to fill those positions,” said Mayor Janey. “That’s why we’re collaborating with our partners to offer valuable job-related skills and information to residents, including those making a fresh start after incarceration. A second chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series promotes.”

The series is organized by MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, and Project Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs).

People incarcerated at the Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of Correction will be able to participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.

“We know that good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and opportunities like these is extremely important.” 

“At MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and resources.” 

The event series is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires participants to register at tinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows:

• Resume Basics: Wednesday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Interview Basics: Wednesday, Oct.13, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Resource Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Job Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The job fair will feature such employers as Amazon, Action for Boston Community Development, CentiMark, Flour Bakery & Cafe, Greater Boston Food Bank, VPNE, and Whole Foods Market.

In addition to promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for the cost of accessing a CORI, while partner Lawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged.