Beatriz Bayla, 65, waited on line, with applications in hand, after consulting with several companies present at a job fair at Borough Hall.
She is facing foreclosure on her home and has needed to apply for government assistance such as food stamps and Medicaid.
“Now is my time. I have even filed for retirement because I cannot find a job,” said Bayla. “I cannot pay my mortgage, I cannot pay my health insurance, I have a limited income . . . so what will I do?”
Bayla used to work as a unit coordinator at a hospital, making $21 an hour, but because of cuts in her hours, she is seeking more work.
That’s why she – and hundreds of others – showed up on Friday, June 19, in search of new career opportunities.
Borough President Helen Marshall and the Council for Airport Opportunity hosted the eighth annual event.
Stacks of résumés littered the tables of each company. Those present included Duty Free Americas Incorporated, Transit Security Administration and RWM Protective Service.
Tristan Weekes, 22, previously worked as a loader for United Parcel Service and is now looking for a new job.
“I’m just looking around for opportunities, for a job that pays well with benefits,” he said.
Weekes remembered that, a few years ago, he could find work more easily. He said that now his calls to prospective employers often go unreturned.
Sheriger Donaldson, Human Resources Specialist at HMSHost, accepted hundreds of applications and quickly ran out of her 200 fliers.
She said she is not surprised by the way the economy has turned.
Thomas Stewart, 58, applied for a wide array of positions at the fair such as an Emergency Medical Technician, security guard and warehouse stocking.
Stewart was a victim of company downsizing and was laid off from his job at Champion Messenger Service.
When asked about his hope for the economy and his own job security, he remained positive.
Stewart said, “It might get better.”
Philippa L. Karteron, Executive Director at the Council for Airport Opportunity, said she was happy that the airport industry could attend.
“Each company brings opportunities, not just jobs,” she said.
