The inaugural Franklin County Job and Resource Fair, organized by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the County Board of Commissioners, recently wrapped up to positive reviews. Held at the Harmony Project, the event drew over 100 attendees on June 21, as reported by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. A multitude of 26 diverse agencies from around the county congregated to display job openings, services, and to personally engage with community members actively seeking opportunities.
Ian Blackstone, a fair attendee, expressed relief in being able to directly interact with employers, as opposed to the often impersonal experience of online job hunting. "It’s nice to have a single place where you know people are actually hiring, you know the people actually exist," he told the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, laying emphasis on the value of face-to-face connections over remote alternatives. A pleasant surprise for some, the fair also provided an opportunity for attendees to get their resumes reviewed on the spot by HR professionals like Kesha Justice from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office. "I didn’t expect this many people," Justice remarked, citing the active and curious crowd of job seekers.
The fair wasn't just about getting jobs, it showcased a variety of county agency services intended to simplify life for Franklin County residents. Shunlonda, assistant purchasing manager at Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, talked up the benefits of community engagement at the event, highlighting the importance of understanding community needs firsthand. "Today’s event was really, really helpful," Shunlonda commented, as noted in her discussion with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Organizer Marian Mines, a personnel officer at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, was buoyed by the turnout and the connections made. "There’s nothing more powerful than connecting as a community," Mines said, reflecting on the event's success in creating those critical touchpoints between residents and the services best suited to support them. The fair aimed not just to connect people with jobs, but to fundamentally improve lives within the county. Echoing this sentiment, Shunlonda recognized the fair's broader goals: "Being here and knowing that we are a part of the solution and not a problem for the community, as far as providing resources, job opportunities for Columbus residents," she told the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, "it means a lot."
