Today the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA), an initiative of the Council for Court Excellence, released it’s latest publication entitled, “The Workforce Solution: D.C. Employers FAQ for Second Chance Hiring.”

The Workforce Solution is targeted at D.C. employers or business owners who are struggling to fill open positions or are looking to scale up and need talent. This valuable resource answers questions about the legal requirements, financial incentives, and protections available to an employer looking to expand their applicant pool through second chance hiring. Second chance hiring is the practice of hiring people with criminal records, including those who have experienced incarceration, otherwise known as “justice-impacted.”

On February 25, the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC), a valued partner of the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA), hosted an Open House Business Summit at the Thurgood Marshall Center.

SCHA’s Gene Downing and Aayushma Bastola attended the event along with our intern, Jada Carter. Downing and Bastola conversed with attendees about our mission to create employment opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.

We at the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) hope you had an amazing holiday season! We want to ring in the new year with you all, while also reflecting on how we brought 2024 to a close.

On November 19th, 2024, the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) and the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC) hosted a webinar to inspire and educate employers on the benefits of second-chance hiring. The event brought together experts and advocates to share strategies for creating inclusive workplaces and supporting justice-impacted individuals through employment.

On October 29th, the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC), a close partner and ally of the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA), hosted an open house and business summit at the Anacostia Arts Center, attracting entrepreneurs, community organizations, and business leaders from across D.C. The event showcased the Chamber’s commitment to collaboration and economic growth within the Black business community, offering valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Welcome to Issue #2 of the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) Newsletter! This newsletter highlights upcoming fall events, new partnerships, and recent milestones of the SCHA.

At DC’s 8th annual Returning Citizens Cookout in July 2024, SCHA’s own Gene Downing was given an award by NAARC-Cure the Streets and Mayor’s Office for Returning Citizen Affairs (MORCA) for his tireless work for the Returning Citizen community. In his acceptance speech, Gene shared about his leadership in Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA), the role of the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) in his life, and his gratitude and love for the city. Check out his speech below.

Paul Winestock, Jr. is not only a successful second chance employer but also a returning citizen. In 1990, Paul was arrested and sentenced to double life in prison. Since his release in 2012, he has since dedicated himself to uplifting our youth and giving back to his community. Paul owns His & Hers restaurant not far from where he grew up in Woodridge N.E., D.C., and runs a non-profit organization, Saving Our Next Generation (S.O.N.G.), that mentors youth and adults in preparing for their futures.

On April 25, the Second Chance Hiring Alliance, the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce, Free Minds Book Club, NYU Washington DC, and the Council for Court Excellence’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee hosted a screening of the documentary District of Second Chances at NYU Washington DC’s Abramson Family Auditorium. This thought-provoking film highlights the experiences of three men from D.C. who were sentenced to life in prison as youth and have since been released.

Welcome to Issue #2 of the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) Newsletter! This newsletter shares updates on the work of the SCHA, opportunities for connecting and collaborating, second chance hiring resources, and highlighting SCHA members and partners.

While there are many ways employers can diversify their workforce, second chance hiring is an often overlooked opportunity. Employers can embrace the opportunity of upskilling our workforce and leaning into second chance hiring. Here is why you should.

Welcome to the first Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) newsletter! This newsletter will be used to share second chance hiring resources, updates on the work of the SCHA, opportunities for connecting and collaborating, and highlight SCHA members and partners!

On April 13th, 2023, the Council for Court Excellence (CCE) launched the Second Chance Hiring Alliance (SCHA) at an event hosted by A Chance to Thrive titled ” Upward – An Employer Symposium on Second Chance Hiring.”

The forum, both in person and virtually, focused on expanding employment opportunities for returning citizens. Leading voices in workforce development, business, and criminal justice reform discussed how employers can create inclusive workplaces that foster equitable economic mobility, highlighting successful second chance hiring programs in and beyond the DMV region.