• Amadi Jordan-Walker
• March 14, 2008

A long line of job seekers waited outside the cafeteria of the Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL) before 9 a.m. on February 13. Once they entered, many potential opportunities awaited.

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At tables in the cafeteria, nine local employers were ready to answer questions, take resumes and offer advice to participants. The employers were National City Bank, Aramark, Lawndale Christian Health Center, Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Collector’s Training Institute, Westside Association for Community Action, Mount Sinai Hospital, ABM Janitorial, and The Tool and Manufacturing Association.

Photo: Courtesy Lawndale Christian Development Corp.

More than 180 people met with nine employers during the Feb. 13 job fair at Chicago Christian Industrial League.

Job resource agencies, such as North Lawndale Employment Network, Jobs for Youth/Chicago, and Jobs for Life were also on hand to advertise their free job readiness workshops and resources.
Roger Peden was there as director of employer services for Jobs for Youth/Chicago, a job-readiness program targeted to 17- to 24-year-olds. “It’s important to provide youth with industry related experience,” he said, “in order to understand the culture, the language and the skills required to succeed in a certain field.”
Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL), a nonprofit dedicated to providing job training to the homeless, offered several outlets for employment.

Photo: Courtesy Lawndale Christian Development Corp.

NCP lead agency Lawndale Christian Development Corp. partnered with the CCIL to put on the fair -- and hopes to do more.

The CCIL Housekeeping Internship Program is a job-training and placement program for formally incarcerated members of the community. Marvin Coklow, a representative from the organization, said the program has been very successful, with an 85 percent placement rate and 70 percent of participants remaining on the job.
Kim Jackson, executive director of NCP lead agency Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC), expressed excitement at the turnout of more than 180 people. She said the career fair came about after she heard both from residents who sought job opportunities and from local businesses eager to fill positions.
LCDC partnered with CCIL, Lawndale Christian Health Center, Jobs for Youth/Chicago, Ald. Sharon D. Dixon (24th), and the Hon. Arthur Turner (9th District) to bring the job-seekers and employers together. Jackson explained, “Collaborations with partners in the community—that’s what we’re about.” LCDC hopes to hold more career fairs in the future.
Maurice Johnson, a young resident of North Lawndale , who planned to participate in a group interview with ABM Janitorial later that day, appreciated the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of job vendors in one place. “It’s a good first step to finding a good job,” he said.

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