On October 17, Ayuda partnered with The Next Step Public Charter School (TNS) to host our first annual job fair, “Ayuda to Your Next Step.” Held at TNS’s bustling Washington, D.C., campus, the event gave Ayuda clients and TNS students a unique opportunity to connect with employers who are ready to hire our immigrant neighbors.
It was a morning filled with optimism and possibility as attendees engaged in conversations, formed new connections, and explored pathways to meaningful employment. Thanks to Ayuda’s Language Access Program, interpreters were on-site to ensure that no language barriers stood in the way of career opportunities.
A Supportive Space for New Beginnings
As the day began, Ayuda clients had a dedicated window of time to meet with hiring employers. Later, TNS students joined, and the room buzzed with activity as representatives from various companies and organizations shared information, resources, and job openings with eager attendees. In addition to career conversations, job seekers enjoyed a lively atmosphere, complete with activities and raffles that brought some fun to the job search.
Ayuda and TNS were honored to welcome employers who showed up with genuine enthusiasm and commitment to helping attendees take the next steps in their professional journeys. Our gratitude goes out to all the organizations that joined us:
- Best Buy
- Chipotle
- DC3C
- GoHotelPro
- Hispanic Federation
- Jubilee Jobs DC
- Papa John’s
- Sherwin-Williams
- Z-Burger DC
Their participation underscored the power of community-centered hiring, reinforcing the belief that inclusive, supportive spaces can make a difference in the lives of immigrant job seekers.
In an exciting twist, everyone who visited at least five employer tables was entered into a raffle for a roundtrip Southwest Airlines ticket to anywhere in the continental U.S., adding an extra element of anticipation to the event. Congratulations to Nelson, who won the big prize!
Thank You to Our Partners
We are immensely grateful to The Next Step Public Charter School for co-hosting and helping us make this event a reality. Our thanks also extend to the many employers, partners, and supporters who contributed to the success of “Ayuda to Your Next Step.”
The job fair marked the beginning of a promising annual tradition, one that Ayuda hopes will continue to connect our clients with valuable employment opportunities and foster new, lasting partnerships within our community.