They stood between the American flag and the cross.
Richard shared his story with self-professed shame. Yasheika, a job coach, listened with compassion.
“I just got out of jail. Will they give me a chance?” Richard asked, referring to the employers at the Better Together job fair on Tuesday at Voice of Joy Word Ministries church in Jacksonville.
“Yes. This event is a second chance job fair, so you don’t have to walk around with shame. You can go to any of the employers’ tables with your head held high,” said Yasheika.
The two of them then squeezed their way through dozens of job seekers to reach the Publix recruiter. “This is Richard,” Yasheika said as though she were introducing the president of the United States. Richard, smiling, said, “I love Publix.”
Seeing that Richard was doing fine, Yasheika rejoined 18 volunteers helping more than 100 job seekers meet with 10 employers and four resource partners.
“Times are tough. Not just for Richard, but for everybody,” said Yasheika, who began volunteering for Better Together as a resource partner.
Then, as a new job seeker finished registering, Yasheika went over.
“Hi! I’m Yasheika.”
Story and moments by Kinfay / Better Together
