SAN FRANCISCO—On Monday, August 5, the Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, hosted the “first of its kind” job fair for older adults and adults with disabilities. 

Breed, as well as the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), and the Dignity Fund Coalition held the job fair in the War Memorial Green Room, located at 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. The job fair ran from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Mayor Breed arrived at the fair and addressed the attendees at around 11:15 a.m. The job fair was open to the public and showcased multiple employers seeking to fill necessary employment positions. 

Guests were able to interview on the spot with dozens of employers, attend workshops that aided participants with their resumes, as well as learn how to prepare for an interview, and get their questions about government benefits and the job search process answered by professionals.

“This hiring fair isn’t just another job fair. It is a way to break down barriers and make sure that our older adults and residents with disabilities have the resources and support they need to secure employment so that no one is left behind. These groups face a unique set of challenges that make them especially vulnerable to poverty, eviction, homelessness, social isolation, and depression. Helping them get a job is critical to ensuring they can live a healthy and happy life,” said Mayor Breed in a statement.

According to press release from the Mayor’s Office, senior citizens are the fastest-growing population in the labor market and adults with disabilities make up over a quarter of San Francisco’s residential population. Both groups of individuals within these communities face a higher rate of unemployment and make up the largest segment of those living below the poverty line. Mayor Breed emphasized the importance of the job fair as a tactic to combat the job discrimination that these individuals face, as well as providing a means to highlight these individuals’ skills and assets within the workforce. 

For more details on the employment fair, visit https://sfmayor.org.