GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A program at the Grand Rapids court is looking to give people a second chance at a career with the hope it will lead to more stable housing.
Rene Bailie was among those who attended the 61st District Court Eviction Diversion Team ‘s job fair Friday, looking for a job that can lead to getting her own place.
“I’m currently unemployed, looking for a job, so this is going to be beneficial,” Bailie said. “I raised my four children. I went through a divorce after 20 years and it’s been a struggle since.”
The event was open to the public, with the goal of helping people get a fresh start. The Eviction Diversion Team says employment can be one of the biggest barriers to maintaining housing.
“We talk to clients every day facing eviction who say they are either underemployed or lack of employment, so we came together, like, let’s do a job fair, let’s do something else and bring awareness to the court in a newer light, not being all negative all the time,” Eviction Diversion facilitator Gjenikwa Gonzales said.