Colorado Mills Resource Fair Helps Nearly One Hundred Displaced Workers

GOLDEN, Colo, June 7 -- The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's Labor Market Information office issued the following news release:

Today's Resource Fair and Hiring Event for displaced Colorado Mills Mall workers successfully provided nearly one hundred jobseekers with potential employment opportunities as well as valuable information about unemployment benefits, health insurance, financial assistance, and other resources.

"Today's resource fair was a huge success, and we are so pleased that we were able to lend a hand to our fellow community members affected by the mall's closure," said Business Development Director for the Jefferson County American Job Center Jill Howard. "Today's turnout really exceeded our expectations, and we encourage anyone that wasn't able to make it today to come by the workforce center."

With the closure of the mall following a devastating hail storm on May 8, many area workers were suddenly thrown out of work and contacting them for services was difficult. Today's specialized Resource Fair and Hiring Event was developed by the American Job Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin Counties and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's (CDLE) Rapid Response Unit to assist the displaced workers

"The closure of the Colorado Mills Mall had a drastic impact on the surrounding community and left a large number of people suddenly out of work," said CDLE Executive Director Ellen Golombek. "Our Rapid Response program specializes in connecting people with the resources they need to rejoin the workforce, and we are thrilled that this event was able to help these workers get back on their feet and find a path forward."

More than 20 businesses were there with full-time and part-time positions to be filled. Hiring employers included the Denver West Marriott, City of Lakewood, City of Golden, FirstBank, Natural Grocers, Target - CO Mills Mall, Sodexo, Sears, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, Eliot Management, Walmart, Subway, Jefferson County Human Resources, HomeAdvisor, Home Depot, Staples, Lyft, Performance Driven Workforce, CoorsTek, TruGreen, Kohl's, Dish Network, Natural Grocers, Footers Catering, and Home Instead Senior Care.

The event also provided an opportunity for participants to learn about a wealth of resources available to them. Representatives from the American Job Center were on hand to talk with the job seekers about their employment goals and how to reach them. Staff from CDLE's Division of Unemployment Insurance answered questions and explained how to file for unemployment benefits, and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation staff provided information on services available for workers with disabilities.Representatives from Connect for Health Colorado were also available to discuss health insurance options, and staff from CUSO Financial Services helped jobseekers review financial options.

For those jobseekers who were unable to attend the event, they can contact the American Job Center at 303-271-4700, option #1, or email americanjobcenter@jeffco.us for valuable information about job search services and job training assistance. More information is available at http://jeffco.us/american-job-center/.

For information on filing for unemployment visit colorado.gov/cdle/unemployment.