Sonoma County will host its first-ever job and resource fair for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless on March 22 at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave.
The job and resource fair, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature 47 local employers and service providers offering support with housing and other resources, including a drop-in resume clinic and free lunch. The event is a collaborative effort between Sonoma County Job Link and more than a dozen community organizations.
The county’s annual point-in-time count identified 2,893 people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County last year, an increase of 5% from the 2,745 individuals counted in 2020.
In addition to connecting participants with support services, the event is designed to help unsheltered people find work or move into a better job. Sonoma County Job Link, a program of the county Human Services Department, has connected 37 unhoused individuals with employment in the last two years. Some individuals were able to afford housing after getting a job.
The event at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building will include services tailored for military veterans from Nation’s Finest, a Santa Rosa nonprofit that provides supportive services to veterans and their families. Veterans can experience conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, substance abuse and other conditions that place them at increased risk for homelessness. Last year’s point-in-time count identified 191 homeless veterans in Sonoma County.
More than 150 $25 gift cards will be given away thanks to generous donations by Sunrise Rotary Club members, who will also be serving a free lunch and snacks to participants.
Supervisor Coursey, who represents the 3rd District, will be speaking at the event. The job and resource fair is produced by Sonoma County Job Link, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Committee on the Shelterless, Department of Rehabilitation, Goodwill Redwood Empire, HomeFirst Sonoma County, Homeless Outreach team Victim Services, Interfaith Shelter Network, Micah’s Hugs, Nation’s Finest, Petaluma Family Resource Center, SHARE Sonoma County, Sonoma Applied Village Services, SonomaWORKS, and Community Support Network. Each of these agencies will be providing on-site service connections at the fair.
Pre-registration is not required. For more information about the job and resource fair, e-mail Maureen Fifer at mfifer@schsd.org.
One thought on “Sonoma County to Host Job and Resource Fair for Homeless”
What a wonderful plan you have coordinated together with other caring people and supportive agency’s in the community I hope it helps those seeking more from life Good luck ld like to volunteer if possible