MEMPHIS, Tenn. — This weekend, an annual block party in Frayser promises to help the community become a more peaceful place to live.
On Friday, the three-day Block Party for Peace kicked off with a job fair.
More than 500 people came looking for work at the Ed Rice Community Center including Charles Henderson who wanted to find a better job to take care of his three little girls.
“The job I got right now is not cutting it. Not really working for me, so I’m looking for something better,” said Henderson.
State Representative Antonio Parkinson from Memphis organized the job fair.
It’s part of his three-day block party.
He said stable jobs play a big part in building a strong, safe community since many criminals commit crimes for money.
Staffing centers like Staff Line couldn’t agree more saying they’ve noticed change in the communities they’ve helped.
“The long-term success is that when people get jobs, they start putting food on the table,taking care of personal matters and start paying taxes, which is important for our city,” said Staff Line CEO Mark Story.
“There is absolutely a method to our party,” said Parkinson.
Parkinson said jobs are just one part of making Frayser better.
During his three-day event, he will also provide free health checkups, domestic violence awareness and activities that allow neighbors to get to know each other.
He’s been doing this block party for a decade now and has seen progress in Frayser.
The event has free food, music and games, but Parkinson said it’s more than that.
By improving someone’s quality of life, he believed that person won’t have a desire to commit crime.
“We are seeing people walk away with jobs and seeing people walk away with connectivity. Connecting with their neighbors and businesses in the area,” he said.
For the complete schedule, click here.