ECC Hosts Fall Resource Fair with 30+ Community Partners

Essex County College students got a head start on their futures as more than 30 community partners, including organizations, businesses, and nonprofits, convened Oct. 22 at the College’s Newark Campus for the annual Fall Resource Fair.

Open to ECC students and the continuing education community, the fair – held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -featured more than 30 vendors providing resources, benefits, and on-site support from partners such as RWJBarnabas Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Rutgers University–Newark, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

RWJBarnabas Health, an ECC partner, joined the College’s Fall Resource Fair.

“Events like the Fall Resource Fair are an extension of our mission to empower students and community members,” said Serrietta Johnson of the Office of Student Care Services and Professor Jennifer Chapman of Student Development and Counseling, the event’s coordinators.

“By working alongside our partners, we’re helping remove barriers and open doors to education, career advancement, and essential support services,” they said.

Several exhibitors present during the event echoed that sentiment, highlighting the success of their strategic partnerships with ECC and their hopes for continued collaboration.

Yairelis Correa, Candidate Experience Navigator at RWJBarnabas Health, said the partnership has already yielded tangible results.

“Partnering with ECC has been very beneficial because we’ve been able to provide job opportunities for a couple of people in this area. We’ve also been able to have a partnership where we allow students who are interested in any healthcare opportunities to grow within our network. It’s just nice to be involved and partner with one of the facilities that are educating our community.”

The Leaguers, Inc. representatives share early-education resources at ECC’s Fall Resource Fair.

Her colleague Amandeep Kaur, a recruiter with RWJ Barnabas Health’s Human Resources Department, emphasized the importance of outreach to students entering the job market.

“It’s nice to give students a bridge,” Kaur said. “Students who are looking for their next role may be confused about what to do next, and we’re able to provide them with positions to get their foot in the door.”  

The event also welcomed alumni partners who maintained close ties to the College through their community work and volunteer efforts. 

“As a community partner, ECC provides us the opportunity to meet the students and connect them with job opportunities,” said Dawn M. Odom, Parent Involvement Coordinator at The Leaguers and an ECC Class of 2012 alumna.  “As an EOF honor student graduate, I love coming back home to ECC- reconnecting with professors and seeing how much the College has grown.” 

Tonya Toney-El, Lead Attendant Specialist at The Leaguers Head Start Program and ECC alumna, shared a similar sentiment. 

Joshua Burton of Newark’s Dept. of Health and Community Wellness at ECC’s Fall Resource Fair.

“We come back to help and bring resources,” she said. “ I like engaging with the students, providing them with resources that can make a difference.”

Health and wellness partners were also on hand to connect students with essential services. 

“It’s had a great impact as far as what we have for volunteers and interns for our Newark Emergency Services program,” said Joshua Burton, Community Health Worker with the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness. “The excitement from the students at events like this is incredible, and I love being able to connect them – and the community – to free local resources.”

Camila Vodery, Nurse Educator for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, added, “I love that ECC provides these fairs throughout the year. It’s important for students to be aware of what’s available to them – it helps connect the community to vital health and education resources.”

For more information or support, students can contact the Office of Student Care Services or the Office of Student Development and Counseling to learn about available resources and upcoming events.

Scenes from ECC’s 2025 Fall Resource Fair:
Students connected with more than 30 community partners offering career, education, and wellness resources at the Newark Campus.