As part of an exciting lineup of events hosted by the YAI Network to commemorate October as National Disability Employment Month, enthusiastic employers and dedicated potential employees recently gathered for YAI’s annual Job Fair.

Held in Manhattan, the Job Fair welcomed an array of corporate partners from the Hospitality, Food/Service, Retail and Staffing sectors. Employers included Swiss Post Solutions, Starbucks, the Marriott, Navigant Consulting, OCE, Care One, and YAI. More than 70 job-ready people with disabilities, who participate in YAI’s employment training programs in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Long Island also attended to present their resumes, gain valuable interview skills and network with potential employers.

New to the Job Fair was Ketan Patel, Director of Marketing Resources for the New York Metro Mid-Atlantic Region of Starbucks. The coffee-powerhouse has been employing people with disabilities for many years and promotes a philosophy of diversity and opportunity.

As a member of YAI’s Business Advisory Council (BAC), Ketan was already familiar with YAI’s mission. “I’ve been very impressed by the employment program graduates that I’ve met at the quarterly BAC meetings,” shared Ketan. “In thinking about Starbucks diversity strategy and in wanting to continue to build our relationship with YAI, I came to the Job Fair today with a colleague from my staffing team to meet some talented possible hires and to share the employment opportunities that exist at Starbucks.”

One job-ready candidate who Ketan met with was Joe, a recent High School graduate who receives job training on Long Island. Joe demonstrated his organizational skills and commitment to finding a job by preparing a detailed resume before he had even graduated. “I’m just so ready to work,” said Joe. “I worked hard to graduate so that I could reach this next goal.”

Joe’s dream job would include working with computers, answering phones or delivering mail. He shared these thoughts – and a confident smile - with all of the employers he met. “Today is helping me with interview skills and to get ready for my future job,” Joe continued. “I’m excited for the next step!”

Ketan was equally excited by the candidates he interviewed. “This is a wonderful networking forum for recruiters as well as for the employment program graduates, who get to build interview skills, gain confidence and promote their personal strengths,” said Ketan. “It’s really a win-win for everyone involved.”