The Montgomery County Literacy Council held a three-hour community resource and job fair on the afternoon of Nov. 14 at Reach Community Church with 17 businesses in attendance.

The event had representatives from the Montgomery County Literacy Council, Montgomery County Joint Commission, New Florence Care Center, Montgomery County Health Department, MO Rides, Parents as Teachers, A New Healthcare, Missouri Department of Social Services, NECAC, MU Extension, County of Montgomery, Warrenton Job Center, Montgomery County Cares, Reach Church, Developmental Disabilities Assistance Board, Alta Sciences and Truman VA in Columbia.

The Literacy Council held its job fair to let area residents know about the many resources Montgomery County has. Board president Laura Burnham said she was appreciative of Reach Church letting the organization host the event.

“To let us use their space and set up all of the tables for us, it’s just wonderful,” Burnham said.

While at the job fair, the Literacy Council promoted its free classes to any adult seeking to finish their high school equivalency degree. The organization holds classes from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at the basement of the Montgomery County Health Department building.

“We’re building a classroom here at Reach Church,” Burnham said. “We’re going to open daytime classes as soon as we have enough need for them. That way, the people who drop their kids off at Youth In Need will be able to leave their kids there and walk across the parking lot to come here for class.”

Alta Sciences is a clinical research organization that is based in Auxvasse. The company participated in its third job fair in a span of a week.

“We have a lot of employees who live in Montgomery County,” human resource manager Jennifer Josey said. “It was really nice that they (the Literacy Council) thought of us. Obviously, it showed their commitment to their community, helping it to grow and getting us more connected.”

Also, the County of Montgomery promoted its current openings at the job fair. It is taking applications for E-911 radio operators, Road & Bridge drivers, Road & Bridge laborer, deputy sheriff and accounts payable clerk.