Job fair for unhoused people takes place today

The Other Ones Foundation will host a job fair for unhoused clients today in an effort to pair local businesses with people who might struggle to maintain employment. According to a press release from the homelessness nonprofit, the group “will host numerous corporate, government, and nonprofit agencies to promote their career opportunities across a variety of fields” today from noon to 3 p.m. at 3801 S. First St. “Members of the unhoused community experience many barriers to traditional employment: missing IDs or permanent address, difficulty with transportation or hygiene maintenance, and a lack of soft skills that have eroded over time from isolation and marginalization. Austin also has a highly competitive and saturated job market, rife with stigma towards individuals with job gaps, or who present as having experienced homelessness. TOOF’s supportive programs work with individuals on overcoming these barriers and preparing them to re-enter the workforce. Finally, we make a smooth handoff to our incredible partners who want to offer these folks a chance to work,” TOOF’s director of communications, Max Moscoe, said in a statement to the press. “Employment for people experiencing homelessness is important not only for the financial leverage it gives them, but for the feeling of empowerment and involvement that comes from engaging in community. These life-changing efforts are only possible with partnership from the hiring organizations and community support for TOOF programming.”