COVID-19 gave Rep. Kabir Karriem a couple of extra months to think about what he would tell his constituents in Columbus about the 2021 legislative session.
Normally, the second-term legislator provides that update as part of his annual Mother’s Day event in May. But with that event scaled down, Karriem chose to wait until conditions suitable to a gathering were safer.
In the interim, he began to think not only about the legislative session, but all the other challenges people in his district face.
“It all just sort of hit me — the homelessness, the number of vaccinations going down, people without jobs, the fact that so many of our people are renters,” Karriem said. “What people need now is hope. They also need help.”
Monday at 5 p.m. at the Columbus Municipal Complex, Karriem will host “A Day of Empowerment,” where he said he’ll provide his annual legislative update — “the good, the bad and the ugly,” he called it — but much more.
“It’s kind of a one-stop shop,” Karriem said.
Those who attend can register to vote, get the COVID-19 vaccination, receive free legal assistance for having criminal records expunged, learn how to qualify for a home loan, get a job and take home some groceries.
“All of these things stand in the way for people who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families,” Karriem said. “The hard thing for a lot of them is finding the information they need because a lot of these things are a process.”
Hope Credit Union will be on hand to assist people in the home-buying process.
“What’s great about their organization is they don’t say, ‘no,’” Karriem said. “Instead, they’ll work with people to help them get qualified. Far too many of our people are renters and as we know, home ownership is one of the biggest factors in people having the chance to have successful lives.”
American Civil Liberties Union and local attorneys will offer their services pro-bono to help citizens with the expungement process.
“Expungement can cost $1,500 to $2,000 in legal fees,” Karriem said. “With the free legal service being provided, the only cost to a person is a filing fee. So it’s a great opportunity.”
Karriem also hopes to create some “on the spot” hiring at the event.
“We’re hearing so much about employers not being able to find workers,” Karriem said. “We believe there are people actively looking for jobs, so we’re having a very informal job fair.”
Karriem said so far only a few employers have committed to the event, but hopes more will take advantage of Monday’s event.
“It’s really low key,” Karriem said. “All employers have to do is give me a call at 662-400-0873 and let me know they’re coming.”
Live, Love and Christ Ministries will provide bags of groceries to those who attend, Karriem said.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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