A fair for the countys jobless
First event held in region a success
By C. Ruth Ebrahim, Staff Writer

Zeta Warner looks over the literature provided by the National Caucus and Center for Community Economic Development (NCCCED) at the Resource Fair at the Community Services Center on Thursday, Jan. 27.

Her daughter sits at a table, coloring a picture and making a brown bag puppet for her brother.

Meanwhile, Zeta Warner strolls around the gym at the Community Services Center. Here, she can fill out applications, learn how to put together an effective resume and talk to local employersall while her daughter safely enjoys herself in the other room.

Its really great, because they have child resources for the parent who works, Warner says.

Carolines Promise for Adultsa collaborative partnership formed to assist adult citizens in achieving education and employment goalsheld a Resource Fair on Thursday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The event, a first for the region, assisted approximately 75 people in collecting employment and education related resources.

My goal here today is to try to find a better job, Warner says. Theyre here to help you not just find a job, but also to make sure you have adequate care for your child and to help you get your education.

The local job seeker was particularly impressed with a newly formed local agency, the National Caucus and Center for Community Economic Development (NCCCED).

At the booth, Milton Bush and Leonard Gray passed out information about what the organization offers.

At the Resource Fair, the volunteers talked to job seekers about the Housing Assistance program, GED classes and other employment resources available at the center.

More than 10 organizations related to employment and adult education, from both the county and the state, participated in the Resource Fair.

Educators with Regional Adult Education gave free GED practice tests to anyone interested. Once an individual completed the practice test, they were automatically signed up for the GED course offered through Regional Adult Education, also at no cost.

Program Manager Betsy Mathias said that they tested a total of 12 people, all of whom will be taking GED classes within a few weeks.

Organizers of the Fair also wanted to give job seekers the chance to see what type of jobs are available in Caroline County right now.

Mattaponi Springs Golf Course and Flying J truck stop sent representatives to take applications and to provide information on available employment.

Golf Course Superintendent Andy Lutz said he had four positions to fill when he came to the Fair last week. He and his partner Brian Kennonof the Food and Beverage Departmenttook seven applications by mid-afternoon.

Kennon said he had both full and part-time positions available for people interested in the food service industry.

Kevin Tansey, with Flying J, had several jobs advertised during the Fair as well. The available positions range from janitorial and cashier to upper management.

He also said the Resource Fair was a good way for Flying J to tap the local employee market. However, he had only secured three applications by mid-afternoon.

Carolines Promise for Adults has been meeting since July, Mathias explains. They had a vast task ahead of themfinding ways to help Carolines unemployed and under-skilled find ways to better their lives.

Out of the five counties in the Planning District, this county has the highest illiteracy rate. This is an area that we really havent been able to tap into, she says.

Were trying to get them motivated to make something of themselves.

At the event, resident Zeta Walker got a chance to take advantage of several employment and education related resources in one room.

She filled out an application with the Virginia Employment Commission, talked to Germanna Community College about financial assistance and picked up important information from the Social Services booth about the best way to search for a job.

This job fair is different than any Ive ever been to, she said.

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