Wichita youth who want to get a jump start on obtaining a summer job can get an edge over the competition by attending the Summer 2002 Opportunity and Job Fair from noon to 3 PM on Saturday, April 6. This is the first of three job fairs that will be hosted by the Summer Opportunity and Job Fair Coalition this spring.
Last year's Job Fair was a huge success with more than 1200 participants and many youth being placed in summer jobs, according to Wichita Police Officer Jamie Stinson. "All of us on the coalition feel this is a very important endeavor," she said.
The objective of the Job Fair is to provide job readiness, volunteer opportunities, summer activities and job placement for the youth of Wichita and Sedgwick County age 14 and up.
"Today's teen-agers are our future and it's important that they develop a good work ethic at a young age. They need to experience what it takes to get the amenities of life," said Officer Stinson.
Wichita Police Officers and United Way of the Plains volunteers will act as Job Coaches assisting youth in filling out applications, providing them tips on interviewing and how to present themselves properly to potential employers.
In addition to the various booths and the opportunity to work with a job coach, there will be several 30-minute workshops on how to start a job search and increase the chances of being hired. Also included will be job-interviewing techniques presented by the City of Wichita Career Development.
Parents are encouraged to attend and can register for a drawing for a 25" color television. Refreshments, and other prizes, will also be provided.
Members of the Job Fair Coalition include the Wichita Police Department; McConnell Air Force Base Youth Center; Burger King; the Northeast Heights, Elm and South Area Neighborhood Associations; the YMCA; Wichita/Sedgwick County Community Housing Services; Sedgwick County Sheriff Department; the Eclipse Teen Center; United Way of the Plains; Wichita Independent Neighborhoods; Wichita Public Schools; and Communities in Schools.
Two more Job Fairs are slated: April 26, 2002, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at North High School, 1437 Rochester, and May 4, 2002, from noon to 3 p.m. at Northeast Magnet, 1847 N. Chautauqua.
For additional information, or to reserve a space for your business, please contact Officer Jamie Stinson at Patrol South at 337-9200 or Officer Steve Cavitt at Patrol East at 688-9331.