Albany neighborhood's job fair will expand opportunities

Catholics will pitch in to help the unemployed find work during an Opportunity Fair for Jobs and Training in the Arbor Hill/West Hill section of Albany.

Maria Kuhsel, a member of St. Patrick's Church in Albany, said the event was planned as a way for employers, educators, trainers and service providers to reach out to residents of the neighborhood.

The fair is being sponsored by A Regional Initiative Supporting Empowerment (ARISE). Composed of community groups and religious congregations, ARISE networks with businesses, healthcare providers and schools to empower economically distressed and politically marginalized people to have a say in their communities.

Opportunities

Ms. Kuhsel, a resident of the Arbor Hill/West Hill area for 13 years, said that "our residents are, in many cases, unaware of the opportunities available to them through [organizations] that will be participating in our fair. Our goal is to give them that awareness."

Area businesses will staff booths to provide information to residents who are looking for jobs or job training. Some of the participants include Hudson Valley Community College, Parsons Child & Family Center, St. Peter's Hospital, Hannaford Supermarkets, Wal-Mart and SEFCU.

"We also have several small, home-based businesses, including a woman who will be teaching interior decorating skills to people throughout the day," she noted.

Meeting a need

Ms. Kuhsel explained that "there are a lot of community resources already in place here in Arbor Hill/West Hill, but so many of our residents aren't aware of what they have to offer. This is particularly true with many of our single mothers with dependent children.

"Many of our residents are out of work. Some have the ability to hold down a job but lack the resources to go job hunting. Some may have been out of work for a long time and need assistance.

"The businesses can provide information and resources to residents in the hope that they will become more aware of what options they have as they work towards their goals."

Options

Ms. Kuhsel, who owns a building renovation business, gave as an example of who could benefit from the Fair "a single mother of seven children. She is a nurse's assistant and can only work the overnight shift. She recently lost her job because she is unable to work during the daytime.

"She could learn what other options are suited to her lifestyle, such as becoming trained to operate her own child-care business from her home or plugging into child-care options that will allow her to return to work.

"When I moved here, the area was devastated by unemployment and lack of business opportunity. In fact, becoming involved in the selling of drugs was the only job a kid could find on these streets. This is an opportunity for residents to become informed, learn how to get involved and have a say in their own community solutions. It is networking at its best, and it can enrich the neighborhood, and improve the economics and quality of life for our families."

(The fair will be held Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Star of Bethlehem Church, 513 Clinton Ave. For information or to register as a participating business, call 438-1181.)

(10/7/04)