Job Fair Connects Prospective Employers with Job Seekers

“United Methodists host annual event”

The door to job opportunities opened for upwards of 350 local job seekers during the recent Job Fair sponsored by the United Methodist Church of La Feria. This is the fourth time the church has hosted the event and “we were very pleased with the turnout and the local support” according to Andi Atkinson, Event Coodinator.

The well-supported job fair turned the church into a temporary employment agency of sorts, opening the church sanctuary and classrooms into consultation offices that connected prospective employers with job seekers. It gave the people of Cameron County an opportunity to see what’s available, and help them find a job according to Atkinson.

This is his third year for Rev. Bill Davis to serve as pastor of the La Feria United Methodist Church. He said, “The turnout was very good, and the event keeps getting bigger every year with more job seekers and a wider range of top-rated, potential employers participating. The fair presents an opportunity for persons seeking a new job, a better job or career change.” He added: “Additionally, we offer spiritual counseling for anyone requesting it.”

Andi Atkinson is the lead contact for the event. She initiated the church-sponsored job fair, and has coordinated the annual project since its inception. She said, “the event came out of a need realized in our community. The companies attending expressed appreciation for the generous offering of the church property for the day-long job fair.” She added: “The companies said they had met with good, qualified candidates and reported lots of ‘good hires.’”

Atkinson listed the following employers present for this year’s Job Fair: In the Lobby: Advanced Call Center (ACT), BCFS Health and Human Services, Bert Ogden Toyota, Capital Choice Financial Services, Charlie Clark Nissan, Cintas Corp, DISH Network, Gary Job Core, International Educational Services, Jackson Hewitt, JC Wing Company, JC Penney & InStyle Salon Liberty Tax Service, Lulu’s Flower Shop, Motivational, Education & Training (MET, Inc), Spectrum, Texas Teachers, Total Rehab Kids, Windsor Atrium. The Medical Team, Ross Dress for Less, U.S. Small Business Administration LRGVDO, Whataburger, Harlingen Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Veterans Commission and Veterans Administration, Gary Job Corps, La Feria Independent School District, IDEA Public Schools, MET National Farm worker Jobs Program, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Buffalo Wild Wings, Rio Grande State Center.

In church office rooms: Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, Brownsville Independent School District, La Feria Independent School District and Region One Education Services Center, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs & Border Protection.

Coordinator Atkinson thanked all the employers who participated, and said the church plans to make it an annual event.