CFC Participates in Resource Fair for Former A. J. Wright Employees
In order to help soften the impact of immediate job losses for former A.J. Wright distribution center workers, CFC staff members Andrew Mello, Robert Raposa, and Tayna Fragata participated in the job resource fair sponsored by the Fall River Career Center at Bristol Community College on February 23, 2011.
Fuel Assistance staff members Bob Raposa and Tanya Fragata
Despite best-ever annual sales results, parent company TJX recently decided to close down the A. J. Wright division of the company. This corporate decision resulted in over 800 employees from the A. J. Wright distribution center in Fall River being laid off from their jobs during the past two months. The Fall River Career Center counted 577 former A. J. Wright workers that came to the job resource fair seeking new employment and information about services that may be of assistance to them. There were more than 30 employers, and at least that many educational and training sponsors available on site to answer questions about the particular services they can provide.
Citizens for Citizens, Inc. prepared a booklet for distribution that highlighted more than a dozen programs that the former A. J. Wright workers could apply to for social service assistance. Portuguese and Spanish versions of the CFC booklet were also available.
Given the current high cost of heating oil and other sources of home heating fuel, the CFC Fuel Assistance Program received the most interest from people who attended the resource fair. Both Mr. Raposa and Ms. Fragata work for the Fuel Assistance Program and they were able to explain in detail the documentation required to apply for the program and answer other questions about the program operation.
The Citizens for Citizens, Inc. booklet also includes information concerning other CFC antipoverty assistance programs such as Weatherization, Home Heating Repair/Replacement Program, Head Start Program, Senior Cyber Café, and other social service programs for low-income area residents. Additional information on other programs is available by calling Andrew Mello at 508-679-0041.
