Employment/resource fair set for 'justice-impacted' youth
Event intended to support individuals and families with involvement in the juvenile system.
EPHRATA — The Grant County Juvenile Department is expanding outreach services and resources for “justice-impacted” youth and families to help them build a more positive and stable future.
The efforts can include assisting a young person in securing an entry-level job to gain valuable work experience and skills, helping a parent find employment, and connecting families to key community resources, say juvenile court treatment counselors Tammy Roloff and Amy Rodriguez.
Such opportunities can be explored at an upcoming Employment and Resource Fair scheduled Wednesday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
While free, the event is not open to the general public. It is intended to support individuals and families who have experienced involvement in the juvenile system. That can include truancy, dependency, diversion, or offender court proceedings and state ARY (at-risk youth) and CHINS (child-in-need-of-services) programs.
To attend, participants must reserve a ticket in advance by contacting either Tammy (call 509-750-3594 or email troloff@grantcountywa.gov) or Amy (509-760-6832, arodriguez@grantcountywa.gov). Tickets are also available at the Grant County Youth Services Center, 303 Abel Road, in Ephrata, or at the Moses Lake office, 1525 E. Wheeler Road.
Participating agencies and employers in the upcoming fair currently include Renew, Youth Navigator, Latino Civic Alliance, Hope Source, Moses Lake Police Department, Banner Bank, U.S. Army recruitment, People For People, Washington State University Extension, Goodwill Industries, Skill Source, Work Source, Martins Farming LLC, Lowe’s (Moses Lake), Starbucks (Ephrata), Burger King (Ephrata), Les Schwab Tire (Quincy), Commercial Tire (Quincy), Lamb Weston (Quincy) and National Frozen Foods (Quincy).
There is no specific age limit to attend, with resource agencies available to all, but employment opportunities will be limited to individuals age 16 and older. There will be snacks, food and prizes.
“Our vision for this event is to provide meaningful opportunities for those who are actively working to make positive changes in their lives,” Roloff and Rodriguez said in a press statement. “This event is intended to empower participants, strengthen families, and support long-term success within our community.”
In addition to employment and resource connections, an “employment clothing closet” has been developed to provide attendees with access to a variety of casual and professional clothing items at no cost. Made possible through generous donations, the clothing can help participants prepare for job interviews and "workplace success.”
Following the July 1 fair, the clothing closet will remain available at the Moses Lake office for youth who participate in the county juvenile department’s Education and Employment Program.
“We believe this event highlights a positive and impactful effort to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Rodriguez and Roloff.
