When Yanira Medina, a client services specialist at The Father Center of New Jersey (TFCNJ), noticed that men were coming into the agency where she once worked and doing all the right things to get a job—from filling out job applications to practicing for interviews—yet not getting any work, she discovered the missing piece to the puzzle. They weren’t able to meet with employers face-to-face to demonstrate their qualifications and strong interest in employment. So Yanira found a way to get them there!
In recent months, drawing from that experience, Yanira launched a program with career coach Brian Wingate called Travel For Success. Under their guidance and leadership, TFCNJ is now helping participants navigate public transportation in the Trenton/Burlington/Hamilton area. On Tuesdays, Yanira and a group of participants travel to local employers for interviews. Along the way, they are given real-time instruction on using public transportation, a life skill that will be useful beyond the job interview.
“We asked employers if we could bring candidates to them,” she explains. “Before we go, we have practice interview drills and get them all set up with appropriate interview attire through the Dress2Impress® initiative. Then we take off in a van, showing attendees where to get a bus, which bus to take and so forth. They are already asking when the next session is going to be! They love it. The program is new, and gaining interest and results quickly!”
During the outings, participants are able to network with professionals and gather information about housing resources, financial assistance, expungement and so forth. Building these connections can lead to potential job offer opportunities down the line, making the initiative an even more valuable resource.
Contact Brian Wingate at [email protected] or Yanira Medina at [email protected] for more information.
