LIFT-DC hosted over 50 members at our Community Resource Fair on March 23rd. The fair was a one-stop-shop for all things employment, offering on-site interviews with corporate partners such as Chipotle and TJ Maxx, and, family fun, including raffle prizes and family portraits.
Local nonprofits educated our members about the resources they provide like food, clothing, job training, a place to shower and do laundry, etc. Twenty-eight members attended the employment workshop run by LIFT’s Talent Manager, and thirty-seven members attended an information session about Goodwill’s Hospitality Job Training program. Other activities included family portraits, a kids’ area, and lots of food!
Mr. M, a regular LIFT-DC, THEARC Member, was one of the attendees of the Community Resource Fair.
Walking into the Perry School, Mr. M was greeted by a familiar, smiling LIFT Fellow. As she escorted him upstairs to the LIFT office, they discussed his progress on his recent goals. In the third floor hallway, Mr. M was happily greeted by some of LIFT’s National staff. There, with a sandwich in hand, he talked with representatives from Bread for the City, THRIVE, Byte Back, SOME, and STRIVE to learn about their services.
Later, with thirty-seven other members, he went to the Goodwill workshop, to learn about the benefits of their training programs, while LIFT staff helped him fill out the program application. He stayed for an interview workshop with LIFT’s Talent Manager.
Before he left The Perry School, LIFT staff and volunteers brought Mr. M to get his portrait taken and collect a bag of groceries to bring home. He left with a huge smile on his face and with stronger personal, social, and financial foundations than when he came in. Mr. M even shared with us a little bit about why he loves LIFT:
Over the next few weeks, Mr. M will be invited back to The Perry School office to interview for employment with Hilton, Chipotle, and T.J. Maxx. He will have the opportunity to take the entrance exam and finish the rest of his application for the Goodwill job training programs. He can get more groceries from THEARC office and learn more about the partners he met. For us, the smile on Mr. M and our other members’ faces made the event. Hopefully that LIFT love will stay with those members as they continue their journey toward their goals.