St. Vincent’s to Hold Career Fair
Livable Wage Eludes Many San Diegans

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village will hold a career fair on Thursday, November 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at its 1501 Imperial Avenue location.

   The event, which is open to Village clients and the general public, aims to connect employers with qualified and motivated individuals participating in St. Vincent’s homeless rehabilitation program who are looking to re-enter the workforce.

   Some of the companies and agencies participating in the fair include the SDSU Foundation, YMCA, Merrick College, Allied Security, the County of San Diego and Sharp Health Care.

   A benefit of the St. Vincent’s career fair is that it introduces an untapped group of experienced and educated potential employees to companies who are desperately searching to fill new or vacant positions.

   "One of the many goals for clients of St. Vincent’s is to reach a position where they can earn a livable wage," says Jack Yang, the Village’s Career and Education Department program supervisor. "With that in mind, we have numerous on-site educational and job-readiness programs our clients can access, which gives them the experience, confidence and knowledge to earn a livable wage."

   With San Diego’s high cost of living, it’s integral to find employment that allows you to survive, Yang says.

   "It’s not as simple as getting a minimum-wage job flipping burgers, you just can’t make it (in San Diego) earning that kind of money," he says, adding many current Village clients are accessing St. Vincent’s services not because they are unemployed, but because their incomes cannot pay the bills. "Through our programs, our clients become qualified, get their high-school diplomas and even college degrees, which allows them to find work that pays enough to survive in San Diego and the surrounding areas."

   On a most basic level, employment returns to Village residents self-respect that is lost to life on the streets.

   "As adults, we hope and try to do it on our own, but that isn’t always possible," he says. "Asking for help is a humbling and often embarrassing experience, but at St. Vincent’s we’re just grateful that – in their moment of hopelessness – our clients turn to us and, as a result, turn their lives around."

   For more information on the career fair, call (619) 525-1608.

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