November 14, 2024
Lunch Break’s Life Skills program, in partnership with RWJ Barnabas Health and Monmouth Medical Center, hosted a successful hiring event in our new facility. The 20+ participants were interviewed for positions in patient transport, housekeeping, food services, hospitality and administrative assistants. Over 35% of the participants received job offers on the spot!
Preparation for the event was a herculean effort that involved several departments from Lunch Break, including Clara’s Closet, Family Promise, and Life Skills. Numerous dedicated staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to offer this invaluable event to the community.
A week before the event, Birgit Mondesir, Lunch Break’s Life Skills Program Manager, along with her committed team of volunteer coaches held employment preparedness workshops for both Life Skills participants and guests of Family Promise to ensure participants felt confident going into their interviews. Participants spent time receiving one-on-one assistance preparing their resumes and conducting mock interviews during which they gained valuable real-time feedback and practiced crucial skills.
Participants enjoyed food from our Community Kitchen during breaks in the workshops. They also received clothing from Clara’s Closet’s Suit Up for Success initiative. Fatima Carranza, director of Clara’s Closet, and superstar volunteer, Inez, styled our guests, ensuring everyone left with personalized and professional outfits for their interviews.
A big thanks to the RWJ Barnabas Health Talent Acquisition Team, led by Diane Poulios, RN, Director, Talent Acquisition & Innovation; Gail M. Russell, Director, Human Resources; Sylvia Jacobs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director, for their dedicated commitment to this process. It would not have been possible without their cooperation!
