Dorchester Elks Lodge hosts community job fair

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Meeting people where they are was the idea of Thursday’s job fair in Cambridge.

Event organizer, Ericca Stanley-Jones, said that simply showing up for the community can be the first step to permanent employment.

“Permanent employment gives people the opportunity to take care of themselves and their family,” Stanley-Jones said.

A revolving door of community members came through the Elks Lodge to find their next golden employment opportunity.

Daughter Ruler of the Progressive Dorchester Temple, Sharon Chester, said as much as they’re working to get the adults through the door, they’re also focusing on guiding the youth, too.

“This is a community service organization and we felt very strongly in helping our youth come back into the employment industry,” Chester said.

With hopes of bettering the Cambridge community as a whole, the event offered record expungement advice.

Stanley-Jones said by coupling that resource with the several organizations, the city is on a positive trend toward a brighter future.

“The idea of this job fair is to build up our community by building people’s self-esteem up, to build up the employment, so people who want to work are able to work,” Stanley-Jones said.

As plans of future fairs are already underway, Dorchester Elks Lodge spokesperson, William Wallace, said that networking aspect is what brings folks one step closer to securing that ideal job.

“The businesses are here and they’re opening their doors and are willing and ready for people to come in, but sometimes, we have to encourage people to come and have confidence in themselves,” Wallace said.