WorkSource Oregon Hosts Second Chance Career Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 4, 2026 Media Contact: communications@employ.oregon.gov WorkSource Oregon to Host Second Chance Career Fair in Southeast Portland PORTLAND, Ore. — WorkSource Oregon will host its first-ever Second Chance Career Fair on Wednesday, Feb.11, from 10 a.m. to noon at the WorkSource Oregon – Portland Metro Southeast Center in Portland. The free event will connect job seekers with local employers who are open to hiring people facing barriers to employment, including recent incarceration. “This event is about opening doors,” Oregon Employment Department director Andrew R. Stolfi said. “We want job seekers to have direct conversations with employers who value skills, potential, and growth, and who understand that talent exists everywhere.” All job seekers are invited to attend and connect with employers from a range of industries, including healthcare, social services, manufacturing, staffing, and nonprofit organizations. Employers and community partners scheduled to attend include the City of Portland, Dress for Success, Gliss, Central City Concern, United Salad, Stone Soup, DPI Staffing, The Pathfinder Network, Urban League of Portland, and Oxford House. “We encourage attendees to bring copies of their resumes and be prepared to speak directly with employers about current job openings, career pathways, and next steps,” said Reentry Specialist Chelsea Cook, who is coordinating the job fair. “WorkSource Oregon staff will also be available to provide information about job search support and employment services.” Cook specializes in helping people who have been formerly incarcerated find jobs.

This is the first time WorkSource Oregon has hosted a career fair focused on second chance hiring but hopes to make it an annual event in the future. Event details Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 Time: 10 a.m. to noon Location: WorkSource Oregon – Portland Metro Southeast Center 6401 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR 97206 Email: EmployerServices@oregon.gov. About Workforce Operations The Oregon Employment Department’s Workforce Operations division is a partner in WorkSource Oregon, a consortium of state agencies and local workforce boards, and operates 37 WorkSource Oregon centers across the state. WorkSource Oregon offers a wide range of free services to job seekers, employers, and businesses, including personalized career coaching, resume writing, job search strategies, support for job postings and hiring incentives, and access to labor- market data. Visit worksourceoregon.org for more information. WorkSource Oregon (WSO) is an equal opportunity agency. WSO provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken- language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1680. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to EmployerServices@oregon.gov. WorkSource Oregon (WSO) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. WSO proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1680. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a EmployerServices@oregon.gov. ###