Hundreds of people in line at job fair in Cathedral City
Over 800 people showed up at Mary Pickford Theater, waiting in long lines, resume in hand, dressed to impress and hoping for a job during this difficult time.
"I got here at 6:15 a.m. so I would not be in this line," Tanya Moore told News Channel 3. "I'm applying for security at the new casino," she added.
"I was the fifth one in line and it was very simple," Joanna Horwitz said. "You're in and out really fast," Horwitz said.
By 9 a.m. over 200 people had walked through the theater's doors. With the pandemic impacting just about every aspect of life; many people who showed up lost their job or had to change their plans due to COVID-19.
"There have been a lot of changes in my college plan and my career plans," Mariah Vega said.
Vega is a college student who was supposed to be working at Disneyland right now but with the pandemic closing theme parks, she's having to find something new.
"I think I want to do anything that has to do with communicating with people so any desk jobs or marketing jobs," Vega said.
Maria Zacarias was working at a skilled nursing home before she was laid off a couple of months ago due to the pandemic.
"It's hard. I do have a family. I still have a little one at home," Zacarias said.
She's receiving unemployment but says even that's not enough. Despite all of the challenges many people are dealing with right now, the job fair brought hope to those in uncertainty.
"I think it is something people can look forward to," Michael Facenda, senior vice president and general manager at Agua Caliente Casinos said. "A glimmer of hope in a time that maybe we all need that," he added.
"I think it came at the perfect time for people like me that are still waiting to be called back to work or not sure if they are going to call us back," Zacarias said.
Agua Caliente said they may hold more job fairs in the next few months. Those that do get hired could start training as early as August for the new casino scheduled to open before the end of the year.
