Career Pathways in Action: A Community-Focused Fair at Merritt College

A day of workforce opportunity, wellness, and collective support.

The BOSS Career & Wellness Resource Fair at Merritt College gathered students, job seekers, and families in a space built for access, dignity, and connection. Partnerships were at the center of the day. Sankofa, Merritt College, employers, workforce programs, wellness practitioners, volunteers, and small business owners aligned their efforts to support pathways that strengthen the East Bay.

Dozens of employers offered direct access to job opportunities, apprenticeships, and training programs. Workforce specialists guided participants through career-related questions and provided guidance on next steps. Barbers, stylists, headshot photographers, and wellness providers created a welcoming environment that helped people feel prepared for interviews and workplace settings. These contributions added real value to a fair designed to support growth.

The BOSS Clothing Closet supplied professional attire for job seekers. Mock interviews helped participants sharpen their skills. Grocery bags supported food security for families.

Every table reflected the shared belief that opportunity and wellness move together.

Partnerships made this possible. When organizations, practitioners, and volunteers bring their expertise into a shared space, the community benefits. These relationships expand services, strengthen coordination, and create more time for meaningful engagement with the people who need it most.

The fair also uplifted small business owners and independent wellness practitioners. Their presence demonstrated the influence of local entrepreneurship and community-rooted care in building a stronger ecosystem of support. Second-chance employers offered pathways that honor people’s skills and readiness. These employers play an important role in advancing stability for returning citizens across the region.

The day reflected what coordinated community action can achieve. Every vendor, host, volunteer, and partner contributed to a fair grounded in service and possibility. Merritt College provided a welcoming campus that allowed this work to shine. Together, we created a space where students and community members could explore new directions and build momentum toward self-sufficiency.

As BOSS continues to invest in housing, workforce development, reentry, mental health, and community empowerment, events like this fair show how collaboration expands impact. When each partner contributes their strengths, the entire community moves forward.

BOSS depends on donations to sustain and grow these services. Your support helps deliver events like this, equip job seekers with clothing and preparation, and strengthen the partnerships that create real opportunity across Alameda County.

Donate today at self-sufficiency.org/donate and help build the next pathway to self-sufficiency.