Empowerment And Career Fair Day At The Nia Center

Louisvillians hoping to find a fresh start, help with finances, or a new career direction will find a wealth of opportunities at the “Be Empowered at the Nia” event on Thursday, May 9. The event will be held at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Resources and activities include free credit reports and one-on-one credit counseling, a career fair, workshops focusing on work readiness and small business resources, adult education services and GED information, financial education tools and products on the BB&T Bank Bus, and HIV testing. 

This event also features free food, door prizes and ample parking as well free bus tickets donated by TARC that will serve as some of the door prizes as well as distributed in advance to assist residents interested in attending the event. 

Sponsored by BB&T, the “Be Empowered” event brings together partner agencies at the Nia Center including the Office of Financial Empowerment — part of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, Louisville Forward, KentuckianaWorks’ Kentucky Career Center, and TARC along with Apprisen, Bank on Louisville, Cardinal Success Program, Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, Job Corps, Keeping It Real Neighborhood Institute, Louisville Asset Building Coalition, Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission and others.

The Career Fair will be held at the Kentucky Career Center at the Nia Center on the first floor between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. including ten employers from high demand industries from the public and private sectors. Job seekers are encouraged to bring a photo ID and copies of a resume or work history and come dressed to meet employers. They will also be asked to complete a two-sided survey. 

Pre-register online at https://focuscareer.ky.gov/careerexplorer/home or arrive early to register and even print your resume. For assistance preparing a resume in advance, visit the Kentucky Career Center at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway Suite 100, or at 600 West Cedar.

Participating employers at the Career Fair include:

• Walgreens
• Omni Louisville
• Kroger
• Goodwill Industries
• White Lodging
• 160 Driving Academy
• Department of Corrections-Louisville Metro
• Census 2020

Also featured will be the BB&T Bank Bus between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., a 40-foot mobile classroom providing credit report education, unclaimed property searches, self-file income tax preparation stations, as well as comprehensive financial services. BB&T personnel will also be available to help with checking and savings accounts and other financial services and provide access to computer-based Money Smart Financial Education.

Apprisen will be on hand to pull tri-merge credit reports and check credit health.  Louisville Metro’s Office of Financial Empowerment will sign up individuals interested in the new AcceLOUrate Savings program which provides free financial coaching and goal-setting. 

Nine free workshops will be offered throughout the day including:

• Expungement Clinic presented by Legal Aid, 10 – 11 a.m.
• Interview prep presented by KentuckianaWorks, 10 – 11 a.m.
• Financial Coaching presented by Louisville Metro Financial Empowerment, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Exploring Entrepreneurship presented by Louisville Metro Microbusiness, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Metro Certification Process for Small Business presented by the Human Relations Commission, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Violence Prevention Workshop, presented by Cure Violence, 12 – 1 p.m.
• Tenant’s Rights presented by Legal Aid, 1 – 2 p.m.
• Credit as an Asset presented by BB&T and Financial Empowerment, 2- 3 p.m.
• Computer Essentials presented by KentuckianaWorks

“The Financial Empowerment and Job Fair Day is a great example of how the Nia Center partners are working together to offer an array of workforce and entrepreneurial development resources for our community,” said Eric Friedlander, acting director of Louisville Metro Resilience and Community Services. “We want residents to walk away feeling empowered to strengthen their households and change their future.” 

Participants at the May 9 event are encouraged to share their experiences and photos on social media using #NiaPower.