Residents of the Skid row area found employment and job training during the DLANC event Downtown Los Angeles, October 22, 2015– The Downtown L.A. Neighborhood Council held their first annual job fair in skid row on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. The job fair was held in Gladys Park in the center of the skid row area. Companies participating included Ralph’s, Target, SRO Housing, Pepperdine University, ACF Foods, Chrysalis, SKANKSA, and The We Build Project of LAUSD."It can be difficult for persons with a background of substance abuse or a prior conviction to get work. Some of the 82 job seekers who attended did not even have contact information or phone numbers. These obstacles were overcome. DLANC had sought out employers willing to give that second chance and the results were gratifying." - Lead Officer Deon Joseph, LAPD Central DivisionMany people were hired on the spot by Ralph’s, Target, SRO Housing, Pepperdine and ACF Foods. Others were set up for additional interviews or helped with on-line applications. More than 20 were enrolled in the Chrysalis job training and preparation program.“Chrysalis was thrilled to participate in the first Annual DLANC Los Angeles Job Fair. Our mission is to create a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment, so partnering with DLANC on this event was a natural fit. Chrysalis is so pleased to have had this opportunity to help around 20 Job Fair attendees take the first step toward a new job – and a new beginning.” – Mark Loranger, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chrysalis“… job seekers showed up ‘suited and booted’”, according to Ron Smith, the DLANC Board member who chaired this event for the neighborhood council. According to Mr. Smith, the employers were very satisfied with the results. And the new employees were looking forward to a better future.DLANC would like to thank all the persons and organizations who helped with sponsorships for this event, including AEG, The Downtown Industrial District BID and ACF Foods. If you would like more information, please contact Patti Berman, President, DLANC at 213.200.0563 or email at
