Family Network and Express Pros co-hosting drive-up job fairs

Family Network and Express Pros co-hosting drive-up job fairs
The drive-up job fair will take place during Family Network’s food pantry hours to benefit the job seekers who also need food and connect people seeking full-time permanent jobs with employers hiring in light manufacturing and administrative office roles. <strong>Courtesy Family Network of Wyoming</strong>

A faith-based nonprofit and staffing firm are co-hosting a pair of job fairs this month on behalf of local employers.

Family Network of Wyoming and Express Employment Professionals of Grand Rapids said they will host two career events, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, at Family Network of Wyoming, 1029 44th St. SW in Wyoming.

The drive-up job fair will take place during Family Network’s food pantry hours to benefit the job seekers who also need food and connect people seeking full-time permanent jobs with employers hiring in light manufacturing and administrative office roles.

“Over 14% of people in Michigan are still unemployed,” said Karrie Brown, executive director of development for Family Network. “Offering a social-distanced, drive-up job fair at a food pantry during normal pantry hours gives community members struggling in this situation a chance to receive two vital services in one location at one time, hopefully reducing their stress, connecting them with resources and getting them back to work.”

Brown said the Family Network food pantry was serving 11,000 people a year before COVID-19 hit, saw a surge in need to 2,700 individuals in April and has remained at a demand level of over 1,100 people per month since then.

Janis Petrini, owner of Express Employment Professionals of Grand Rapids, and Dee Brown, employee engagement coordinator at Express Employment Professionals of Grand Rapids, are coordinating the event with Brown and Raycheen Sims, executive director of operations for Family Network.

More information about Family Network of Wyoming is at fntw.org.

Express Employment Professionals of Grand Rapids can be reached at expresspros.com/grandrapidsmi.