LFS Career Fairs Bring Refugees and Employer Partners Together
Kafunda needed a job. New to America and Nebraska, he wanted to take care of this family, and that started with finding solid, consistent employment. Fortunately, Kafunda had a built-in network when he arrived in Omaha. As a Lutheran Family Services (LFS) client, he attended one of the new Refugee Job Fairs.
“We met a lot of companies at once, and there was free transportation! This made our lives easier,” says Kafunda. Recently resettled from the Congo, Kafunda says, “We are grateful for all LFS is doing for our family.”
In November 2023, the first Career Fair launched immediate job placements for many refugee clients in Council Bluffs and Omaha. Finding a job is a major step towards self-sufficiency and includes initial job placements, networking opportunities, clients applying on the spot, and immediate job offers.
The Farnam Hotel is one of many employers who appreciated the ease of the job fairs, and who hired LFS clients from the event. Director of Human Resources, Britt Tanhueco, shared how “The Farnam is committed to building and fostering a diverse workforce. Events, such as this job fair, allow us to connect with individuals who bring perspectives from all over the world. It’s been our privilege to have team members who have restarted their lives in our city and found a welcoming environment at The Farnam. Our partnership with workforce development organizations is crucial in identifying and nurturing untapped talent in Omaha, and we look forward to continuing this important work together.”
LFS’s Albert Messan Kate, Economic Empowerment and Community Services Supervisor, and Abbas Aldoban, Business Service and Outreach Coordinator are the brains behind these events. We asked them to take us through the evolution of the fairs.
How many companies did we start with? How many do we have now?
In our first year, November 2023, five companies participated. In July 2024, 12 companies attended both in person and virtually. Six companies had physical tables at the event, while six other partner companies participated virtually, allowing job seekers to apply online during our event.
From the first job fair onwards, the following companies have been regular participants: Quality Pork International, Conagra Council Bluff, Greater Omaha Packing, Airlite Plastics, International Nutrition, Cyntas, LALA, Fiserv, Amazon, SKYLARK, RD Industries, Owen, ZUM, TYSON Food, BMO Bank, The Farnam Hotel, Union Pacific, OSI Oakland Iowa, Cohere Beauty, MCL Construction, and United Family Home Healthcare.
We are extremely grateful and excited about the partnerships we’ve formed through our Career Fairs.
How many people have found jobs through the LFS Refugee Career Fair?
During each hiring event, we typically have between 50 and 80 LFS clients attending, and we record between 20 and 30 external applicants. At least 30 people successfully found employment during the hiring event period. On July 19th, applicants submitted 38 job applications to different companies.
Why is the LFS Refugee Career Fair Important?
The most important benefit of the LFS Career Fair is that it allows our clients to directly interact with potential employers and make choices about their future careers. The Fair allows companies to witness firsthand the diverse skill sets of new job seekers and showcase their commitment to an inclusive workforce. Our clients have a wide range of companies and industries to choose from, which gives them greater empowerment and increases their chances of finding a successful job. Additionally, the assistance provided by LFS with transportation and on-site interpretation addresses barriers to job entry and offers valuable support to our clients.
The companies who partner with us and attend play a crucial role in showcasing to future employers the multifaceted advantages of hiring and investing in refugee talent in the workforce.
How Can You Get Involved?
If you are an employer interested in participating in our next Refugee Career Fair on October 4, learn more here.
For more information on our Refugee Program, click here.
RSafe® Sexual Abuse Conference
Join us for the 6th Annual RSafe® Sexual Abuse Conference: “Try this, not that” — Interventions to help families impacted by sexual abuse.
This conference offers specialized training for professionals in the fields of mental health, foster care, child welfare, education, or juvenile justice.
We will focus on innovative strategies and interventions for difficult or unique situations such as:
– Children who have experienced sexual abuse.
– Sibling sexual abuse.
– Family therapy.
– Caregivers’ response after disclosure of sexual abuse.
– Parents suspected of sexual boundary violations.
– Treatment for youth after problematic sexual behavior.
– Collaboration among providers, and more.
The conference schedule includes extra time for answering specific questions and sharing resources among participants.
Registration Deadline Thursday, September 12.
LFS to Bring the Replanted Conference Simulcast to 3 Cities
Calling all adoptive, foster, and kinship families! LFS has teamed up with Lutheran Church of the Master, Sheridan Lutheran Church, and Peace Lutheran Church to bring you simulcasts of the Replanted Conference in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island. We are committed to making the conference convenient for families to participate in our area!
The event supports and connects adoptive, foster, and kinship families and will be simulcast at your church!
- Who should go: Adoptive, foster, and kinship families.
- When: October 24-25 (Omaha and Lincoln) November 1-2 (Grand Island)
- Location: Lutheran Church of the Master, Omaha, Sheridan Lutheran Church, Lincoln, and Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island
- Cost: $45 early bird registration | $55 regular registration
