Library to host Re-Entry Partnership Conference

From bus passes to workshops on job retention, the Re-entry Partnership Conference will run Monday and Tuesday and equip participants to overcome obstacles to employment. 

Led by the Alachua County Library District (ACLD) and Partnership for Strong Families, the conference concentrates on people with criminal history or other work barriers and is hosted at the Library Partnership Branch on NE 16th Avenue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. 

“The purpose is to provide career advice, skills and resources to help these community members find a good job and to maintain that job,” Rachel Cook, the library district’s public relations and marketing manager, said in a phone interview.

She said participants can sign up in advance but walk-ins are also welcome.

The first day will consist of speakers and workshops that cover job searching and retention along with remote work. Lunch will also be provided. 

On the second day, participants will prepare workforce re-entry kits that include tangibles like community IDs, professional clothing, bus passes and cellphones or tablets depending on eligibility. 

“Lots of people think about libraries being just focused on books, but libraries are really a hub of community resources,” Cook said. “And that includes helping people to find the employment they need and find the skills they need so that they can find those jobs.”

Cook said the library staff builds connections during the conference and continues assisting after it finishes to help connect people with the resources they need. This is the sixth re-entry conference the district has hosted. 

The library district will also host a Community Job and Resource Fair on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the ACLD Headquarters Library. 

The fair is open to all and will include the following organizations: 

• Agency for Persons with Disabilities – Tacachale
• Education Station & Preschool
• Employment Services VA Hospital
• Community Spring
• UF Health Shands
• Florida Department of Corrections 
• O2B Kids
• Dampier Septic Tank
• Gainesville Police Department
• RTS – Department of Transportation & Mobility
• Hotel Indigo
• JMI Resource
• Alachua County Public Schools
• Episcopal Children’s Services
• Granny Nannies
• Gainesville Housing Authority
• Santa Fe College
• Three Rivers Legal Services
• Mega Social Enterprises
• Crunch Fitness

You can find more information on the Re-Entry Partnership Conference or the Community Job and Resource Fair at the library district’s website.