Earlier this summer, the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters Union) partnered with Jobs Not Guns, a nonprofit violence prevention coalition, to bring its first annual Prince George’s County Recruitment Fair, which offers employment opportunities as an alternative to a life of crime.

Comprised of the National Association of Minority Contractors—Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Chapter (NAMC-WMAC), Inner Thoughts, Inc., and the DC Concerned Black Business Owners, Jobs Not Guns was created in February 2021 to assist Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Building Blocks DC (BBDC) initiative designed to decrease gun violence in the Nation’s Capital.

Jobs Not Guns brings full, wraparound support services to remove barriers for job seekers, ranging from resume writing, to health screenings, career plans, and more. These services create a pathway for residents to earn a living wage and have a meaningful, sustainable career.

“We always look forward to seeing the young generations and eager talent who come in looking to learn more about the trades and the workforce opportunities we provide here in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia,” said William Davis, Council Representative of the EAS Carpenters Union. “The Carpenters Union is proud to, once again, be a leader in workforce development, providing jobs and training opportunities to help reduce gun violence in our area.”

“We’re really glad to have partnered with the Carpenters Union, Carpenter Contractor Trust, and our local NAMC-WMAC chapters for this event,” said Rosalind Styles, Manager of the DC Business Gun Violence Prevention Coalition and the Jobs Not Gun Initiative and President of NAMC-WMAC. “With these initiatives, we hope and believe that we can make a difference in somebody else’s life. Everybody deserves a chance – or two – to find a job and build a career. Together with our community partners and legislative body, we’ll continue to expand this work so our residents can overcome barriers to employment.”

Local officials, including Maryland State Delegate Denise Roberts, State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County Aisha Braveboy, Prince George’s County At-Large Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, and Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay, attended the event in support of creating access to employment and training opportunities that can serve as a deterrent to gun violence.

During the fair, the EAS Carpenters Union hosted a guided tour of their Mid-Atlantic Carpenters’ Training Center for attendees. There, attendees learned about no-cost pre- and apprenticeship programs that consist of on-the-job training and school-based instruction. The EAS Carpenters Union looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Jobs Not Guns initiative and those minority and women-owned contractors, like those affiliated with NAMC-WMAC, who spearhead programs that improve job access.