For immediate release
For more information, contact
Samantha Sherman
or
Caitlin Jones
SALEM—Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Healthy Dent County are teaming up to host a Second Chance Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 22, 2024, at the Community Center at the Armory, 1200 W. Rolla St., Salem. The job fair focuses on employers willing to hire individuals who are justice involved or in recovery from substance-use-disorder.
Employers attending include Walmart, Royal Oak and Eagle Stop, with other employers still reserving spaces to attend. The Missouri Job Center, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health and Invent Yourself, LLC will also be at the event to provide resources to potential employees.
“Missouri is facing a workforce shortage, and there is an untapped population with the potential to help solve this issue, if employers are willing to hire those who have been involved in the justice system or those who are in recovery,” said Samantha Sherman, MRPC Senior Community Development Specialist. “If we can connect employers with these individuals, not only does it help the employers find the labor their companies need, but we are helping these individuals find steady employment and, in some cases, breaking the cycle and stigma associated with substance-use-disorder or past justice involvement.”
This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize.
This project is funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, totaling $1,000,000 awarded to MRPC in 2021.
Interested employers and prospective job candidates needing information, can contact Sherman or MRPC Community Development Assistant Ann Feeler at 573-265-2993 or via email at ssherman@meramecregion.org and afeeler@meramecregion.org, respectively.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chair of the board. A professional staff of 28 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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