Sanders' Career Expo in Far Rockaway Draws Hundreds of Job Seekers

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village) held a successful Career Expo yesterday at the Rockaway YMCA in Arverne. Some 486 job seekers turned out to explore the variety of employment opportunities being offered by more than 20 different companies and agencies featured at the event. The expo is part of a continued effort by Senator Sanders to bring jobs directly to the people living in his district.
 
“This is a win-win situation,” Sanders said. “We are showcasing the bright, talented residents of this community and helping them find work, and we are demonstrating to various employers that they should seek to fill positions here, in this district, because we have a wealth of qualified candidates.”
 
There were opportunities for immediate hires and some positions required no prior experience or training. Urban Upbound, a group that assists with job placement, was able to facilitate job interviews for several people for the next day and early next week for occupations such as teacher's assistant, youth day counselor, insurance office associate and prep cook.
 
Rivlab Transportation Corporation, a school bus company located in the Rockaways for the past 36 years, was looking for school bus drivers and mechanics, while the Clarion Inn JFK Airport, which is set to open next month, was seeking to fill positions such as front desk reception, front office manager, breakfast attendant, housekeeping and maintenance.

Hamanjit Anand, the general manager and co-owner of the Clarion Inn JFK Airport, said it was important for him to hire people from the community, and that he had received many applications. He added that it is a priority for him as a business owner to build a good relationship with residents in the area near the hotel, and  he enjoyed speaking with everyone who stopped by his table at the expo.
 
Among the most popular featured guests at the event were the Council For Airport Opportunities, which places applicants in positions in the aviation industry, and the Parks Department, which had 52 positions open for the title of Urban Park Ranger with the Parks Enforcement Patrol.
 
The Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) and the Rockaway YMCA were taking applications for their summer youth programs. 
 
In addition to job opportunities, several groups such as the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, Urban Upbound, Queens Library, Workforce 1, and Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation offered career counseling and assistance with resume writing and interview skills.
 
We would like to thank all of the companies and agencies who participated in the expo. They were: 16 Things Kids Can Do, America Works, Chase Bank, Clarion Inn JFK Airport, Council For Airport Opportunities, Exclusive Ambulette Service, FDNY, Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, New York Life, NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, NYC Housing Authority, NYC Parks Department, NYPD: Community Affairs Bureau, Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation, People's United Bank, PSEG, Queens Law Associates, Queens Library, Quality Healthcare, Ready Rockaway Inc., Recoveries R US, Recoveries to Resiliency, Rivlab Transportation Corporation, Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), Royal Care, St. John's Episcopal Hospital, Stop & Shop, United States Postal Service, Urban Upbound and Workforce 1.
 
We would also like to thank our community partners for helping ensure the success of this event. They were: the Rockaway YMCA, Child Center of NY, Redfern Houses, Hammel Houses, First Church of God, Carlton Manor Residents Council, Arverne View Residents Council, Bayswater Civic Association, 101st Precinct Community Affairs, Battalion Pentecostal Assembly, Ocean Bay Residents Association and Community Board 14.
 
Senator Sanders will be hosting another job fair on May 24, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Richmond Hill, 110-04 Atlantic Avenue