FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
Education Service Center Region 11
1451 South Cherry Lane
Fort Worth, TX 76108
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
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At our Job Fair, you'll have the opportunity to visit with a variety of employers who are seeking full-time, part-time, intern, and/or volunteer positions. In addition, we offer breakout sessions that cover job-related topics to ensure your employment success. You'll also have the chance to practice hands-on job sampling opportunities, with service organizations on hand to provide resources and materials for those who are unemployed or underemployed.
We welcome you as an Employer at the CapeAbilities Job Fair and thank you for your commitment to an inclusive workforce!
Contact us for more information or Register as an Employer here.
Complimentary lunch provided with advanced registration. Register here.
JOB FAIR SCHEDULE
8:00 a.m.
Volunteers Arrive
8:30 a.m.
Attendee Check-in / On-site Registration
9:00 a.m.
Employer Check-in / Setup
9:30 - 10:10 a.m.
1st Breakout Session (two training tracks: one for parent/educators and one for students/job seekers)
10:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Hiring Fair / Employer Visitation
10:20 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2nd Breakout Session (same sessions repeated for both parent/educators and students/job seekers)
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Boxed Lunch
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hiring Fair / Employer Visitation
1:00 p.m.
Event Ends
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (same sessions will be repeated during 2nd breakout session)
FOR STUDENTS/JOB SEEKERS
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Job Readiness & Interviewing Skills: This session will focus on preparing for employment, regarding Interviewing, employer expectations, and work rules. Participants will learn the do’s and don’ts of interviewing and have an opportunity to answer common interview questions and receive immediate feedback. Presented by Robert Mollard, Bridges to Work
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Skills for the Future: skills are the key to employment success. Participants will be able to identify essential skills needed to be successful in any workplace, how to interact with your peers, avoid harassment, and demonstrate appropriate work and independent living behaviors.
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Employment 101
This workshop will provide parents and youth with practical, hands-on strategies to help reach a student’s employment-related transition goals. Participants will learn about post-secondary services that are available and how to obtain them. Presented by Christy Balraj, Partners Resource Network
FOR PARENTS/EDUCATORS
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Work Incentives Planning and Assistance
Protect Social Security benefits! Learn how WIPA’s can provide accurate and individualized information about the effect of work on SSI and SSDI benefits and health insurance. They also provide in-depth counseling about benefits and discuss the effect of work on those benefits. Presented by Celina Chacon, Social Security Administration
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Solving the Employment Puzzle
This workshop will provide parents and youth with practical, hands-on strategies to help reach a student’s employment-related transition goals. Participants will learn about post-secondary services that are available and how to obtain them. Presented by Adrianne Yule, Partners Resource Network
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Skills for Workplace Preparation: Resume Writing
This workshop will provide participants an introduction to AgriLife Learn’s Workplace Preparation Training by reviewing key information from the resume writing module. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and tools to help their learners understand a resume and its purpose, create a resume that stands out to employers, and implement a resume writing practice activity. Presented by Erin Fogarty, Texas A&M AgriLife
Certificates of Attendance Available.
Robert Mollard
Bridges to Work
Robert Mollard is the Director of the Dallas/Fort Worth Bridges From School to Work program; he has been in this role since 2005. Rob has specialized in school-to-work transition services for young adults with disabilities for over 25 years.
During his tenure with the Bridges program, Rob has forged successful partnerships with numerous employers, and has assisted hundreds of young adults with disabilities with obtaining competitive employment opportunities. In addition to his Bridges Director role, Rob has served for more than ten years as one of two official Bridges National Trainers, planning, and delivering four days of classroom-based training to all Bridges’ new hires.
Rob is currently the Vice-Chair of the Dallas Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities, Board Member of Disability:IN N. Texas, and is a member of the DART Paratransit and Accessibility Advisory Group.
Celina Chacon
Social Security Administration
Celina Chacon has over 17 years of public service with Social Security spent in various roles including Customer Service Representative, a Retirement, Survivors & Disability Claims Specialist and Operations Supervisor, and now the Public Affairs Specialist. In her current role Celina regularly communicates with congressional offices, and the general public to promote a better understanding of Social Security benefits and services.
Erin Fogarty
Texas A&M AgriLife
Erin Fogarty, MS, CTRS, has worked in clinical and community settings as a recreational therapist, program manager, and community alignment coordinator. She has supported children and adults with disabilities in their goals to improve their health, community inclusion, and quality of life. Erin currently serves as the North Regional Community Outreach Coordinator for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in partnership with the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. She is passionate about inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, including her two school-aged children.
Adrianne Yule
Partners Resource Network
Adrianne Yule worked as a writer and editor for years for companies such as Amazon Web Services, National Instruments, and Dun and Bradstreet. She has a husband and two children. Adrianne utilized Partners Resource Network services for years to support her efforts advocating for her son before joining the agency in 2023. She loves empowering parents and youth self-advocates with information to help them better navigate the education system.
Christy Balraj
Partners Resource Network
Christy Balraj retired after 30 years of working with youth in one of the local school districts and became a CASA not long after retiring. She found her way to Partners Resource Network and has spent the last 3 years supporting parents of youth with disabilities and self advocates navigate the educational environment.
Ashley Hardcastle
Hugs Café Training Academy
With over 7 years in leadership and wellness, Ashley's journey has been fueled by a commitment to inclusivity and personal growth. At Hugs Café Inc, her mission is to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aligning with the organization's culture of hope and success. The experience has honed her skills in customer relationship management and new business development, allowing her to contribute to their shared vision of community integration.
The past year as Program Manager at Hugs Café Inc., has been a testament to the power of combining compassion with practical leadership. Leveraging her expertise in presentations and her certification in Workplace Mindfulness, she's been able to foster an environment where every individual's talents are celebrated and harnessed to achieve collective milestones in their non-profit endeavors.
Thank you!
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