The Progress Center for Independent Living (PCIL) is sponsoring a jobs fair tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd.

Although PCIL brands itself as an organization for people with disabilities by people with disabilities, Sara Capetillo, who is coordinating the event and serves as the bilingual employment advocate at PCIL, refers to the fair as an “all abilities” event. She made it clear that everyone, whether they are a person with a disability or not, who is looking for work that fits their abilities and interests, is welcome to connect with the 25 recruiters who will be present and looking to hire employees who fit their needs.

The businesses and nonprofits represented at the Community Center will include:

  • Progress Center for Independent Living (Forest Park)
  • Ferrara Candy Company (Forest Park)
  • First American Bank (Elk Grove Village)
  • Anixter Center (Chicago)
  • Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield)
  • Illinois Tollway (Downers Grove)
  • Aspire (Hillside)
  • Jewish Vocational Services (Chicago)
  • Van Dyke Communications LLC (Oak Park)
  • Mabley Developmental Center (Dixon)

Some of the recruiters present are focused primarily on providing employment for people with disabilities and represent opportunities for job seekers network with.  AbilityLinks, for example, says it is “a nationwide, web-based community where qualified job seekers with disabilities and inclusive employers meet and gain access to valuable networking opportunities.” AbilityLinks is a program of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

Recruiters from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and Northeastern Illinois University won’t be primarily focused on people with disabilities. They are simply looking for people who can do the job. Remedy Intelligent Staffing, for example, lists “exceed productivity standards” as one of its four main strategies.

Avon Corporation has by far the longest track record of providing employment to what might be called “non-typical” works. The company’s PR material states, “In 1886, 34 years before women in the U.S. earned the right to vote, Avon’s founder, David H. McConnell, helped give them the chance to earn an independent income. … Since women had a passion for his products and loved networking with other women, McConnell was inspired to recruit them as sales representatives.”

For more information, contact Sara Capetillo at 708-209-1500 x39 or SCapetillo@progresscil.org.