Community
28 ELUL 5773
SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
Hundreds Participate in OU/Yachad Job Fair for Special-Needs Individuals BY YOSEF CALDWELL
On Thursday, the Orthodox Union’s (OU) agency known as Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities, held a job fair for developmentally disabled individuals as part of its mission to provide greater employment opportunities for those with special needs. Between 350 and 400 jobseekers attended the event in Manhattan’s financial district, where they met with representatives of companies and nonprofit organizations that were looking to hire. “It’s hard enough for people without disabilities to find jobs, and there are so many fewer opportunities for the disabled,” said Eli Hagler, assistant director of Yachad. “It’s our responsibility to try to create more job opportunities for them.” “We’ve never heard of a job fair for people with developmental disabilities, and we felt there was a need for one,” said Jack Gourdji, Yachad’s executive director. “People with disabilities were getting lost in the standard job fairs, where they didn’t stand out. Here, they are first and foremost; it’s all about them.” Thursday’s event was the second such job fair Yachad has sponsored; the first took place last March. Yachad expected 125 to 150 participants at the March event; it drew around 400. “There are 38 people that we know of that have jobs from that event,” said Hagler. “Even if the number had been one, it would still be something to be proud of.” According to Yachad, a typi-
cal job fair — not for specialneeds individuals — places an average of three to five percent; therefore, the 10 percent success rate of Yachad’s first fair was outstanding. Fifteen employers participated in the March event; Thursday’s fair had 17, including six that had participated in the previous event. “You can always find a good worker,” said Howard Hassan, sales manager at Bravo Kosher Pizza, one of the companies at the fair. “But at the end of the day, we are all living in this little bubble, and we should all be trying our best to cross over every line and try to be helpful to the community.” Bravo had previously hired one Yachad member as a delivery person, and spoke highly of his job performance. “We are able to help the community, we are able to help an individual, and it’s obviously been good for us as well.” The fair was open to all developmentally disabled jobseekers, both Yachad members and the general public. Yachad works with individuals with all sorts of special needs. Some of its members are more independent, while others live with families or in group homes. Yachad’s vocational department prepares and trains its members for eventual employment, so that by the time a Yachad member — no matter his or her individual need — is interviewed by a potential employer, he or she is well-prepared in the skills necessary to make a positive impression. “We work with members on their job skills and social skills,” said Gourdji.
The companies and organizations participating in the job fair offered a wide variety of positions, depending on individuals’ needs. There were volunteer positions and paid positions. “The goals vary by the individual,” said Gourdji. For many, the goal is to find a paying job. For others, volunteering, feeling good about themselves and keeping busy is the goal. “Sometimes, it’s not just about the money; sometimes, working gives the individual a feeling of self-worth.” Gourdji believes that “getting a job makes a dramatic change” in the lives of people with developmental disabilities by making them feel important and part of society. “And there is nothing more important than that.” For job seekers, the fair was a rare opportunity to look for positions that are appropriate for their specific needs. “I am looking for a job where I won’t have to communicate with customers face to face,” said Jonathan, 23, who said he has been seeking employment for the past month. “It’s very hard to find jobs, especially in this economy,” said Ilana, 20, who has spent the past several months looking for a job, where she can “work with kids,” perhaps as a teacher’s assistant.” Yachad plans to hold these events twice a year. “It really comes down to the fact that there is a tremendous need for something like this,” said Hagler. “And if we’re able to help, it’s just a small part of something we can do to assist this population.”
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