By Beraca Community Development Corporation
A hot, sunny day. Long lines going around the block of men, women and even some children waiting their turn. This might sound like a crowd waiting to join a roller coaster or other ride at Six Flags or Coney Island’s Luna Park, but the long lines were leading people into their next potential great adventure, a new job.
On Wednesday, July 31st, nearly 400 job seekers walked through the doors of Beraca Baptist Church, at 9602 Flatlands Avenue, where the Beraca Community Development Corporation (BCDC) was hosting a Summer Hiring Fair. The hiring fair was from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but many prospective candidates started to arrive as early as 8 a.m. to check in.
In partnership with the 69th Precinct’s Community Council President Gardy Brazela and Beraca Baptist Church, BCDC’s Summer Hiring Fair was intentionally planned to take place on the last day of July, a few days after the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The date was important for two reasons: to draw from the momentum of the Olympic Games and align with Beraca Baptist Church’s “Summer of Champions” theme, as well as to provide individuals and families with resources, networks and opportunities for the remainder of the summer that would translate to much-needed jobs before the Back to School rush.
“The BCDC hiring fair was destined to happen,” said Mullery Jean-Pierre, pastor of Beraca Baptist Church and president of BCDC, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that serves Brooklyn and beyond.
“Following the successful 69th Precinct Community Council Job Fair in April, which saw numerous individuals benefiting, the demand for such opportunities in our area remained high,” Jean-Pierre said. “As a pastor in the community, I often hear the plea, ‘Can you help me find a job?’ Understanding the pressing need, BCDC had to organize another fair.”
Approximately 20 vendors from local organizations were on hand, ready to engage with applicants for a variety of roles within the NYC Department of Corrections, Primerica, Rising Ground, CABS Health Network, One Brooklyn Health and others. The Church Avenue Merchants Block Association (CAMBA), Canarsie Merchants Association, Workforce 1, Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center (IDCC) and BCDC representatives were present to introduce job readiness programs and courses to career changers and entry-level employment seekers looking to strengthen their soft skills and candidacy. Dozens of interviews were scheduled that very day.
“Many job seekers had to wait in line to be processed,” Brazela said. “It was a wonderful experience for many of them who have never had a job before.”
Shirley Demosthenes-Atkinson, CEO of CABS Health Network, addressed the large crowd, which packed both the main floor and the balcony of the sanctuary turned hiring space, offering motivation and support to those applying for roles ranging from entry-level to executive. Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse stopped by as well, inspiring the attendees with words of encouragement. Narcisse stuck around to listen to the concerns of local residents, sharing resources and information.
With such a wide range of vendors, the applicants were just as diverse. To accommodate a significant portion of the crowd that did not speak English, translators who spoke French, Spanish and Haitian-Creole were stationed at various points in the building. Yellow slips of paper were placed on the vendors’ tables. If a candidate needed a translator that wasn’t nearby, they only had to raise their hands holding the yellow slip to flag down assistance.
“I found many people to help me,” said Walnise Dorsainvil, an attendee of the hiring fair who was assisted by translators. “One of the jobs is going to call me tomorrow. I have hope,” Dorsainvil emphasized.
“The event was a success, establishing partnerships with local vendors who are still actively hiring individuals from our community weeks after the fair concluded,” Jean-Pierre said.
Photos courtesy of Ayanna Giles and Mullery Jean-Pierre
