Last Updated on August 6, 2023, 10:02 AM | Published: August 6, 2023
Oklahoma City (Free Press) — With the new school year quickly approaching, The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held its annual Viva Oklahoma Hispanic Chamber Expo and Career Fair on Saturday which offers valuable support to families as they get ready for the upcoming academic season.
This year’s event commemorates its 22nd anniversary, combining a business expo and a back-to-school celebration providing parents and other attendees with employment opportunities alongside their preparations for the new school year.
“We put in a little bit of everything,” David Castillo, President of the Greater OKC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said. “The back-to-school [aspect] that’s a theme that we adopted a few years ago, because of the need in the community for backpacks and school supplies and things of that nature.”
With the help of several sponsors and vendors, a total of 600 backpacks, countless school supplies, and about 20 laptops were distributed during the event. The event also included health services, such as free blood pressure checks and children’s vaccinations.
In addition to that, the family-friendly event offered music entertainment, food, a children’s play area, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and several free resources to support families and attendee’s in their job search.
“We see nowadays that it’s a little bit more challenging to get a job,” the Greater OKC Hispanic Chamber Business Center Director Smeyder “Steffi” Silvera said. “By having a career fair, we’re giving an opportunity, not only to the kids that are coming here to get their backpacks, or school supplies but also their parents that are with them can get a job interview or even just get that connection with several companies that are in the career fair.”
According to Sivera, the doors opened to a crowd of over 100 people eagerly waiting outside to take advantage of these resources, marking the significance of such events for the community.
“This morning, it was 10 AM we were not even open yet and we have more than 100 people waiting to go and grab their school and the kids they need these materials,” Silvera said. “That’s how we want to give back to the community. So, we see how that’s how we are impacting and we want to continue to do so.”
One parent, Cassandra Ruzycki, expressed how this event helped her secure some necessary school supplies, especially with rising prices.
“It helps out a lot. I’m a single parent of two kids and it’s really hard to provide when, like, everything’s going up.” Ruszycki said. “So, coming here and getting help is fantastic and helps me save a little bit for them.”
Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.
