Hundreds Swarm Bono-Mack Sponsored Job Fair

INDIAN WELLS – Jill Jacobs calls out the next candidate, “Yesenia?”

Jacobs, who represented Hyatt Grand Champions, rarely got a break from interviewing potential workers.

“Well, there’s a lot of people to go through,” she said. “You want to get in as many as you can and do your part in making that line shorter outside.”

The line she’s referring to was the line outside the Economic Workforce Development Center in Indio, which wrapped around the building.

It took many people by surprise. “I just came from the courthouse. I didn’t expect it to be this long,” said Raul Lara, who moved to the desert from Los Angeles in search of work.

Rep. Mary Bono Mack sponsored the three-hour job fair. She said the sheer number of people in line spoke for itself.

“This unfortunately is the kind of event you never want to have to host — to have this many people looking for work is very unfortunate.”

About two dozen employers took part in the job fair, mostly from the hospitality and healthcare industries.

According to fair organizers, the total number of jobs available that day was at least 50. By 12:30 p.m., approximately 750 people had walked through the hallways.

But, that didn’t scare off Guadalupe Garcia. The Indio resident came to find more work, she says, and she left the job fair with hope. “I feel good, I feel really good. I did something today.”

Rep. Bono Mack says she is willing to host another job fair, and she wants her constituents to stay positive.

She says the biggest successes come from perseverance.