On Thursday, September 4, SCHA partnered with Core Group member the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice to host Bridging Opportunity Gaps in Workforce Development for Justice Impacted Job Seekers. This convening brought thought leaders from the D.C. workforce development sector, D.C.-area employers, and justice impacted job seekers together to have facilitated discussions, brainstorm solutions, and share ideas on how we can collectively support workforce development programs. Attendees included representatives from the Department of Employment Services, Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency, So Others Might Eat, LINK Strategic Partners, Georgetown Pivot Program, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Jubilee Jobs, DC Central Kitchen, The Mint Project, Hire Local DC, Clean Decision and more.
The event featured a high level of engagement, insight and contributions from attendees and provided the SCHA team with many key takeaways including several innovative recommendations for how to improve the reentry workforce space in D.C., and what we can learn from other cities and counties doing similar work.
Stay tuned for more work to implement the ideas shared at the event, as well as a report which will be released later this year with recommendations for how D.C. policymakers can continue to improve the reentry workforce landscape in the District. Thank you to our colleagues at RBIJ for cosponsoring this event, to Lillian’s Southern Box Catering for providing delicious food for the event, and to everyone who attended!
