INDIANAPOLIS — A job fair happening Tuesday is opening doors to opportunities for the entire community, including people once serving time behind bars.
Organizers of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People job fair say it's an excellent chance for people to present themselves and make connections.
"The purpose of this job fair is to help employers to actually meet these individuals face to face," Jesseca Chatman, Greater Indianapolis NAACP Young Adults Committee, said. "They get to go introduce themselves and actually explain, 'hey, this was on my record 20 years ago,' and so from there again, we're able to allow individuals who are returning to the community to also answer questions about the application, as opposed to having to see on the application that check-off box of 'were you recently incarcerated.'"
The NAACP job fair on Tuesday is at the Painter's Union Building at 6501 Massachusetts Avenue. It runs from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and all are welcome and encouraged to bring along a resume.
Organizers say the companies involved are on the same page with the NAACP when it comes to getting formerly incarcerated people back into the workforce.
"We want to make sure we give you that confidence in knowing that every employer who has committed to this job fair has this vision and this mission to make sure individuals who are returning back to the community has the opportunity to work, to show themselves improved within what excites them," Chatman said. "And that would be employment, and that would be making sure that they're able to turn over a new leaf."
Positions are available in several areas, including shipping and distribution. A group will also be offering classes for entrepreneurs.
