The DREAM Job Fair provides people living with disabilities an opportunity to have equal and fair access to local employers. It is held on GateWay's Main Campus and generally has between 450-500 job seekers in attendance.
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, hundreds of candidates visited GateWay Community College to seek out their dream jobs. Called the DREAM Job Fair, the event provides people living with disabilities an opportunity to have equal and fair access to local employers. DREAM was started in 2012 by William (Bill) Manson and Magellan Healthcare in Maricopa County.
Manson is still the current Event Chair as well as Administrator for Employment and Vocational Programs for United Healthcare, and is excited about how the job fair has grown to what it is today. “We started with a mere 16 employers, hosted by Maricopa County Community Colleges/GateWay Community College and facilitated by a community volunteer team,” he said. “The event has now grown to 40 employers, offering 2,882 open positions and celebrating 12 years since 2012. In the past three years, the event has had between 450-500 job seekers in attendance.”
For those attendees, barriers are broken to create new employment opportunities. “The goal was to facilitate an event focused on people living with disabilities and disadvantaged populations who often are overlooked as valued and talented candidates in organizations,” described Manson. “The event encourages people living with disabilities to meet employers/recruiters face-to-face to attain gainful employment. To ensure this happens, as a team of 12 volunteers, we recruit employers who specifically practice inclusive hiring methodologies.”
It takes a great deal of work and dedication for these many volunteers and organizations. The partnership includes GateWay, Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration/Vocational Rehabilitation, WEDCO Employment, COPA Health, Mercy Care, Arizona@Work (City of Phoenix, State of AZ), Beacon Group, and Banner Health.
Annie Plogman is a Transition Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation for the Arizona Department of Economic Security who volunteers at the event. “I am a firm believer that communities are built on exposure to like-minded individuals,” said Plogman. “Being able to have the education of who you are as a person, advocate for your abilities, and practice connecting to those who make you feel empowered, is a powerful tool.”
Manson also believes in investing in people and their individual needs. “I often have spoken to job seekers to encourage them to attend and simply speak with an employer to grow their confidence and explore what is available at various companies, so they have a better idea of what their interests may be,” he said. “Other attendees will come to meet specific employers that offer positions in various professional fields so they can find their focus or niche. Then there are job seekers who are not sure what they want but simply want to work, earn money that they can use for activities or goals and explore the possibilities.”
Manson and Plogman encourage anyone who has thought about it to attend future events. “Life is full of pivotal moments,” said Plogman. “What if you never tried the kind of art that is now your passion. What if you decided to stay home the day you met your best friend. They all have an underlying theme of putting in effort, connection, and action. Your pivotal moment for the job that can change your life can start with putting in the effort at The DREAM Job Fair.”
For more information, visit https://phoenixdreamjobfair.com.