EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT
BFAR SUPPORTS YOUR EMPLOYMENT NEEDS
The BFAR organization addresses the challenges of unemployment among the Black community by creating platforms and opportunities aimed at enhancing community members' access to employment opportunities and professional development.
The BFAR Activity Center, as part of its mission, facilitates easier access to community information, employment searches, access to justice, housing searches, educational advancement, career guidance, and other government programs designed to improve an individual's status in the community.
This comprehensive approach ensures that people of African descent, especially immigrants transitioning to the Barrie area, have the necessary resources and support to overcome unemployment and underemployment challenges.
Moreover, by collaborating with Lakehead University Orillia, BFAR provides placement opportunities for graduate students, thereby directly addressing the issue of unemployment and underemployment by integrating education with practical work experience. This collaboration offers a clear pathway for young members of the community to transition from education to employment, supporting their career development.
Additionally, the BFAR organization actively engages in fostering an environment that supports Black business owners. By providing a space for these entrepreneurs to meet, discuss, and collaborate on projects with their counterparts from other races, BFAR indirectly influences employment opportunities. This initiative not only supports existing businesses but also encourages the creation of new ventures that can lead to more job opportunities within the community.
Through these efforts, BFAR addresses the multifaceted challenges of unemployment faced by the Black community in Barrie, offering solutions that range from direct employment opportunities to supporting entrepreneurial ventures and providing a space for professional advancement.
Key strategies employed by the organization include:
Creating a Monitored Platform for Community Engagement: BFAR has established a monitored communication platform, the African Caribbean Black Community WhatsApp group, which facilitates the dissemination of information relevant to the community's needs, including employment opportunities. This initiative has successfully engaged 238 active participants, indicating its effective reach and potential impact on community employment rates.
Collaboration with Educational Institutions: By partnering with Lakehead University Orillia, BFAR has secured placement opportunities for graduate students. Such collaborations not only provide practical work experience for students but also bridge the gap between education and employment, potentially reducing unemployment rates among the Black Community in the area.
Supporting Entrepreneurship and Business Development: The organization actively supports Black business owners in Barrie, offering a space for them to meet, discuss, and collaborate on projects. This initiative not only fosters a sense of community and mutual support among Black entrepreneurs but also encourages the development and growth of Black-owned businesses, which can lead to job creation and, consequently, a reduction in unemployment.
Volunteering and Career Advancement Support: Volunteers at the BFAR Centre who wish to include their volunteering experience on their resumes or require reference letters can do so, as long as they have committed a reasonable amount of time to volunteering. This support is crucial in enhancing the employability of volunteers, helping them to build their resumes and increase their job prospects.
Engagement with Employers and Job Creation Initiatives: Although not explicitly mentioned in the provided content, the overarching activities, and objectives of BFAR, such as improving access to community information, employment search assistance, and career guidance, suggest a proactive approach to engaging with local employers and advocating for the creation of job opportunities tailored to the needs and skills of the Black Community.