Community Corner
Florida Lawmaker Teams Up With Nonprofit For Community Job Fair
Rep. Jackie Toledo unveils her three-step approach, which culminates with a community Job Fair.
Press release from the Office of Representative Jackie Toledo:
May 21 2020
TAMPA, FL --- Last week, State Representative Jackie Toledo announced a three-part initiative, working in conjunction with the Gandy Civic Association in South Tampa to help residents seeking employment. The initiative will focus on giving residents in Tampa the tools they need to pursue and gain employment.
“For three months my office has been facilitating calls, emails, social media messages and more from frustrated and desperate people across the state who have had no success at getting their unemployment benefits,” Rep. Toledo said. “I have asked the Governor’s office to conduct an investigation into the failed operating system and its handling of millions of dollars earmarked to fix the DEO website. These failures have hurt Florida families, which is why I am trying to do everything in my capacity to reduce that burden, and one way is a traditional, socially-distanced job fair.”
The three-phase initiative includes distributing free professional clothing, free career services and a job fair. Organizations and businesses already committing to the job fair include, but not limited too;
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- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
- Hillsborough County Community College
- Masonry Association of Florida
- Hillsborough County School District
- Florida Transportation Builders Association
- IHS Staffing
- Viatek Solutions
- ZoomLien
- Florida Department of Transportation
- Happy’s Home Center
- West Coast Chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors
- University of South Florida
- Tampa Bay Builders Association
Representative Toledo and her office have been working alongside Shawn Brown and Jeffery Nietupski with the Gandy Civic Association, who provide people and families that need help in South Tampa with basic resources.
"The Gandy Civic Association is proud to host our First Annual Neighborhood/Community Job Fair alongside the Office of State Representative, Jackie Toledo (HD 60),” said Shawn Brown, Vice President of the Gandy Civic Association. “Since 1959, the mission of the Gandy Civic Association has been to make meaningful impacts for its residents to create a sustainable neighborhood for all to be proud of. With the COVID-19 situation impacting many residents, now, more than ever, this job fair is an opportunity as an association to help our neighbors regain employment and "get back on their feet". In addition, this job fair will bring awareness to many local companies/organizations of the educated, hard-working residents that call this neighborhood home"
The events will take place the next three Thursdays at the Gandy Civic Center - 4207 W. Oklahoma Avenue, Tampa, FL 33616. Below are the order of events and details pertaining to when they will take place.
Thursday, May 21 – Dinner/Professional Clothing Giveaway; 4-7 p.m.
Thursday, May 28 – Dinner/Career Interview Guidance; 3-7 p.m.
Thursday, June 4 – Dinner/First Annual South Tampa Neighborhood/Community Job Fair; 3-7 p.m.
Note: There are no costs to attend.
The interview guidance and job fair will be in compliance with the social distancing guidelines set forth by the CDC, Federal and State Government. The Civic Center will be limited to 50% capacity, with 6ft. Distances for tables and vendors. Outside, vendors will be placed 6 ft. apart and have their own tables/tents. Masks are not required but suggested, please bring a resume and dress professionally.
If you are searching for a job and would like to attend the job fair, please register through this link https://forms.gle/PNnm8aSA5mofousi9.
Having trouble with transportation? The Gandy Civic Association has partnered up with a few organizations in our community to help. Contact Shawn Brown at 813.760.0890 to get an Uber code (up to $25) for the Thursday night events. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority will also be offering 30 - 30 day bus passes for participants and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office will be donating over 15 bikes for people in need.
If you have any questions, want to pre-register or are a business that would like to participate please contact clayton.clemens@myfloridahouse.gov.
This press release was produced by the Office of Representative Jackie Toledo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
