By Gordon Rago
grago@ydr.com @GordonRagoYDR on Twitter
Issalet Elliott and Candace Selvey, sisters and HACC students, talk to Berks & Beyond Employment Services, Inc. recruiters Andrea Gimenez and Jordan Lenick on Thursday at the York City Career Fair in First St. John’s Lutheran Church. The fair is the first of it’s kind to be held in the city, said Britta Schwab, human resources coordinator of Bell Socialization. A total of 680 people attended the event. “I’m amazed how many people are here. It gives people some hope and shows the city is not all that bad,” said Selvey. (Sonya Paclob — Daily Record/Sunday News)
Before Thursday, Anyolin Perez did not have any job prospects.
But after attending York’s first-ever career fair, Perez has a chance to become an auto mechanic at York’s Motorlink Cars, a job the 19-year-old said can help support his family and has been a personal hobby of his for three years.
“My mom is struggling and my sister is struggling,” Perez said. “So I’m trying to make it better for my family.”
Perez said he will interview at Motorlink Cars today.
A total of 680 people attended the free event Thursday at 140 W. King St., according to Brita Schwab, human resources coordinator for Bell Socialization Services. Rep. Kevin Schreiber, D-York, and Bell Socialization Services worked together to make the career fair happen.
Javon Gordon of Port Chester, New York, holds his son Jeremiah Gordon, 6 months, as he talks with Jazz Frazier, in sales at Motorlink Cars, during the York City Career Fair on Thursday, May 15, 2014. The company is looking to hire six auto technicians, said Frazier. (Sonya Paclob — Daily Record/Sunday News)
There were around 50 York City employers there and half of those companies said prior to the event that they were willing to extend job offers to individuals with a criminal record.
Perez said he was charged with conspiracy to deliver in March 2013, and has been unable to obtain a job since that time. He said he has reported daily to a probation officer and completes urine tests.
Perez, who said he grew up in New York City and moved to York about seven years ago, has a hobby of working and fixing Honda Civics, noting he can perform everything from an oil change to mounting a motor.
Jazz Frazier, who works at Motorlink Cars, said the career fair can revitalize York County and improve several aspects including the poverty level.
“One reason why it’s so important to give back to York County is because we have so many jobs being displaced out of the county right now,” Frazier said. “We will be able to reduce the crime rate in York, we will be able to reduce the poverty levels in York and help revitalize York.”
Previous coverage
York career fair set for May 15York Career Fair: Employers to have openings for parolees, ex-offenders
Pastor Jim Driskell 