For Immediate
Release:
July 20, 2021
Commissioners and NJ Courts kick-off first JOBS program job fair
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Monmouth County
Board of County Commissioners and the New Jersey Courts kicked-off the
first New Jersey Judiciary JOBS program job fair on Tuesday, July 20 at the
Monmouth County Probation Office in Ocean Township.
“My fellow Commissioners and I proud
to be a part of this program, which benefits both probation clients and
businesses,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We asked employers
with immediate openings to participate in the first JOBS program job fair today
and we are grateful for the more than a dozen employers who participated.”
The JOBS program partners with local
employers to provide job and training opportunities along with professional
development for probation clients, supporting their desire to work and
contribute to their families and the community. The program serves a dual
purpose by giving them a second chance to rebuild their lives while enabling
private companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations to enrich
and support their local communities.
“We are hopeful
that this job fair is the first of many,” said Commissioner Director Arnone. “If
an employer with immediate openings is interested in participating in a future
JOBS program job fair, they should contact Monmouth Vicinage Assistant Chief
Probation Officer Caitlin Mejia at 732-358-8700, ext. 87313, or Caitlin.Mejia@njcourts.gov.”
The
Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development helped to coordinate the JOBS
program job fair and Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley spoke about
the services this Division offers for all Monmouth County residents and
employers.
“The County’s
Division of Workforce Development offers resources for both jobseekers and employers,”
said Commissioner Deputy Director Kiley. “The Division offers trainings, career
counselors and weekly seminars on Wednesdays that include such topics as resume
writing, unemployment, and how to use social media for job searches. For
businesses, the Division helps match employers with jobseekers and offers space
for businesses to hold meetings.”
Businesses
looking for employees or anyone looking for employment or job training, can call
the Monmouth County Division of Workplace Development at 732-683-8850 ext. 6011
or go to www.visitmonmouth.com.
“In
the words of social justice activist and author Bryan Stevenson, ‘We’re
all more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.’ The New Jersey Judiciary’s
JOBS program affords probation clients a second chance and an opportunity to
build a future for themselves and their families through meaningful employment
opportunities,” said Monmouth Vicinage Assignment
Judge Lisa P. Thornton. “Reentry is very much a public safety issue and
we are grateful to the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners and participating
employers for partnering with us on this program that will benefit not only our
clients, but local businesses and residents of the entire County.”
Probation client
William Berry attended the job fair to share his experience with the JOBS
program. Through the JOBS program, he interviewed for a position in the kitchen
of an Asbury Park restaurant and was hired on the spot. His employer recognized
his motivation and desire to build a career and committed to providing him with
a scholarship to a culinary school in the fall.
“The JOBS program
has allowed me to live for the here and now and move forward without looking
back,” said William Berry.
How the program
works:
- Businesses collaborate with a
Probation Division representative to connect appropriate clients to employment
opportunities and training, including forwarding resumes and consulting with
employers during and after the interview process.
-
To be referred for employment
opportunities, clients must be in full compliance with their conditions of
probation, abstaining from illicit substances, and committed to work.
The
JOBS initiative is a collaboration between the Judiciary and employers (private
and public) to assist people involved in community supervision with an
opportunity to secure meaningful employment. This public/private collaboration
has value for the individual probationers but also helps to improve the quality
of life in the communities in Monmouth County.
Throughout this process, Probation
Officers work closely with their clients on job readiness training and skill
building for obtaining and keeping gainful employment.
For more information about the New Jersey
Judiciary JOBS program, please contact Vicinage Chief Probation Officer Myra
Carter at 732-358-8700, ext. 87358, or Myra.Carter@njcourts.gov.
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