Meeting People Where They Shop

The Department of Labor and Christiana Mall’s one-stop summer service initiative

CONTRIBUTED BY THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

THIS AUGUST, the Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) teamed up with the Christiana Mall in Newark to offer shoppers a unique experience— showcasing an agency-wide array of services benefiting our community, local families, jobseekers, and employers alike.

The Delaware Department of Labor connects people to jobs, resources, monetary benefits, workplace protections, and labor market information to promote financial independence, workplace justice, and a strong economy. The Christiana Mall has defined the customer and retail experience in Delaware for more than 40 years. With 130 storefronts, four anchor stores, and more than millions of visitors per year, it is a regional, full-service hot spot for tax-free shopping, dining, and entertainment. Comprised of trendy stores, an impressive food court, and exceptional streetscape, it caters to a broad demographic—in other words, the Christiana Mall attracts everyone the Department of Labor wants to meet and serve.

“Christiana Mall has deep roots in this community and that is very important to us. Thousands of our local shopper base have also relied on our shopping center for employment,” said Steve Chambliss, senior general manager of Christiana Mall. “This partnership is truly a win-win for everyone.”

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Steve Chambliss, the senior general manager of Christiana Mall, for his invaluable collaboration with the Delaware Department of Labor,” said Secretary of Labor Karryl Hubbard. “Together we have a great story to tell—one of service, support, and community engagement. Our combined efforts can help thousands of people across the state, providing them with the resources and information they need to achieve financial independence and workplace justice. I’m excited about the impact this project had on our ability to connect with people. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and initiatives like this are essential in building stronger, more informed communities.”

The Department of Labor celebrates Christiana Mall’s labor market expansion and employment opportunities. In working together, they were not only able to assist Christiana Mall’s employers in finding employees but also showcased the programs and services DOL has to offer to anyone working in Delaware. This unique partnership has been an opportunity to increase all Delawareans’ awareness of DOL services while meeting people where they are.

“Partnering with the Christiana Mall offers the Delaware Department of Labor an exciting opportunity to expand our services and build strong partnerships. This is another example of meeting people where they are and offering a true one-stop experience of DOL services and programs to jobseekers, shoppers, storefronts, businesses, hiring managers, and community members,” said Richard Fernandes, director of the Division of Employment and Training.

While the mall was filled with back-to-school shoppers, DOL staff were able to answer questions and distribute brochures on employment and training grant eligibility, vocational rehabilitation services, workers’ rights, occupational and labor market information, unemployment insurance options, and the upcoming paid medical and family leave insurance program.

This partnership helped to reach busy, on-the-go Delawareans and surrounding neighbors. But the DOL and Christiana Mall team-up does not end here—look for their highly anticipated holiday hiring event in the fall to support mall employers.