Inclusive job fair in El Centro connects people with disabilities to job opportunities
Samuel Kirk
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A free job fair in El Centro turned the spotlight on accessibility and opportunity Wednesday morning, connecting dozens of local job seekers with disabilities to hiring employers from across the region.
Held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Pavilion, the event was hosted by Options For All, a nonprofit focused on empowering people with disabilities through employment and community engagement. The goal: To bridge the gap between job seekers and employers through face-to-face interaction.
“There’s bound to be something that will catch your interest and just try it. You’ll never know,” said local resident Gerardo Guardado, one of the many attendees who came ready to work.
Other participants said the in-person setup helped eliminate common barriers in the job search process.
“When you’re doing it by yourself, my personal experience, I never get past the ‘We’ll call you back.’ So it’s good that you at least have a one-on-one with hiring managers here,” one Imperial Valley local said.
Eddie Rendon, Business Development Support Manager for Options For All, says unemployment in Imperial County remains among the highest in the country and even higher among individuals with disabilities.
“In the Imperial Valley, it’s known that it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, which is not something to be proud of, and individuals with disabilities, you know, they challenge that at a doubling rate,” Rendon said. “So again, we’ve had events in the past and we’re always thinking of a way to collaborate with the community.”
Ashley Contreras, Executive Director of Access to Thrive, says these hiring events highlight a bigger truth: Disability doesn’t mean inability.
“I really love that they are trying to find employers that are willing to work with them and partner people with disabilities, give them the opportunity to get real work experience. I think it’s awesome,” Contreras said.
“These people are innovators…They’re creators, they’re creative and are always finding a solution to a problem. They’re problem solvers, so just keep that in mind,” she added.
With on-the-spot interviews and potential job offers, organizers say this fair is just one of many ways to foster inclusion and build a more accessible local workforce.