On September 28, 2023, hundreds of job seekers gathered at the Ogden Park Fieldhouse in the South Side of Chicago for a job fair hosted by two nonprofit organizations, Think Outside Da Block and Bright Community Services. The event attracted individuals eager to explore employment opportunities amid a backdrop of increasing layoffs across the United States.
Many attendees lined up outside the venue well before the job fair began at 12:30 p.m. Daeveon Wilson arrived around 9 a.m. He expressed his desire to gain new experiences and discover what opportunities might be available to him. “I just came out to see what the world has to offer for me, because I know I got a place in it,” he shared.
The job fair featured over 30 employers, including various human resources organizations, and offered services such as expungement assistance to help clear criminal backgrounds for potential workers. Additionally, on-site resume support was available for attendees looking to enhance their job applications.
Pha’Tal Perkins, CEO and Founder of Think Outside Da Block, emphasized the importance of providing resources to both younger and older adults struggling to find employment. “We’ve been helping people individually, but what better way to get all of the employers and resources together,” he stated. This initiative comes as layoffs in the U.S. have reached their highest levels since 2020, with nearly 950,000 jobs cut through September of this year, according to data from the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
A report from Oxford Economics highlighted that recent college graduates are also facing significant challenges in securing jobs. LB Williams, another attendee at the fair, advocated for greater opportunities for job seekers, remarking, “They should give people more opportunities. At least try to hear them out and see what qualifications they got.”
Wilson noted that the presence of production jobs motivated him to attend the fair. “It made me more open and confident as to applying for jobs, because it’s something that I’m already accustomed to,” he explained.
For those who were unable to secure employment during the event, Think Outside Da Block offered to distribute their resumes to employers not present at the fair. This approach aims to extend opportunities beyond the immediate event and provide ongoing support for job seekers in the community.
The job fair in Englewood reflects a proactive effort to connect individuals with employment resources during a time of economic uncertainty. As more people seek stability in their careers, events like this play a crucial role in fostering connections between job seekers and employers.
