Second Chance Hiring Alliance Fall 2024 Newsletter

SCHA Upcoming Fall Events

This Fall, there are a wonderful slate of events coming up! We are gearing up for:

SCHA Core Group member the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce’s (GWBCC) Open House and Business Summit – October 29 from 12pm – 7pm at the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave, SE. Learn more and register here.
SCHA and GWBCC are co-sponsoring a webinar titled “Creating an Inclusive Workplace: Empowering Employers for Second Chance Hiring” on Tuesday, November 19th at 12:30 pm. Learn more and register here.

We also will be publishing an employer’s guide to Second Chance Hiring, tabling at job fairs, and sponsoring second chance hiring networking events. Stay tuned for more!

“Second chance hiring not only offers one the opportunity to take care of themselves without resulting back to a life of crime, but it also builds confidence in returning citizens that they can indeed thrive in today’s society no matter where we come from.”

-Antoine Colman-

SCHA Year In Review

The SCHA is officially a year and a half old! We started our work back in April 2023. To commemorate Second Chance Month that year, we (the Council for Court Excellence or CCE) collaborated with A Chance to Thrive for “Upward: A Employer Symposium on Second Chance Hiring.” This event served as SCHA’s official launch and introduction to the public. Since SCHA’s launch, we have recruited Core Group Members, employer members, and community partners. We have researched, hosted events, tabled at job fairs, and attended re-entry conferences.

Below you will find a few highlights from the first 18 months of SCHA’s work.

July and August 2023 – Hosted informational sessions for Community Based Organizations to learn more about SCHA
October, 2023 – Presented our first webinar titled “Creating Inclusive Workplaces: Second Chance Hiring”
January 2024 – Presented at the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce’s Returning Citizens Open House Panel Discussion
April 2024 – Presented a webinar featuring the U.S. Department of Labor on federal hiring for people with criminal records
April 2024 – Celebrated our one year anniversary and Second Chance Month by hosting our first in-person networking and movie screening event of District of Second Chances

New Core Group Member

The Second Chance Hiring Alliance would like to welcome its new Core Group member: The Greater Washington DC Black Chambers of Commerce (GWBCC). GWBCC supports the need for economic development in the black community through education, enterprise, and entrepreneurship. Learn more on their website.

SCHA Member Spotlight: Paul Winestock

In this issue, we highlight Paul Winestock Jr. who is not only a successful second chance employer, but also a returning citizen. In 1990, Paul was arrested and sentenced to two life sentences. While in prison, Paul was determined to regain his freedom. He completed a paralegal course and was released after 23 years. Paul 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.

Resource Spotlight – Center for Employment Opportunities

SCHA partner the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) published A Fair Chance: Hiring Guide & Toolkit. It includes statistics on how second chance employees are valuable to a company, tips on how to find talent, and resources on Reentry Workforce Programs. The CEO’s guide is a great way to get to know what it takes to participate in second chance hiring!

Second Chance Hiring in the News

On July 30th, 2024, Recruitics published The State of Fair Chance Hiring 2024. In this piece you will find the most recent information about fair chance hiring, including, candidate experience, recruitment marketing trends, talent attraction, talent conversion and more!

Other News: SCHA’s own Gene Downing wins award for his contribution to the returning citizens community!

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 the 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!

Know anyone in your network who may be well suited to get involved in the SCHA? Forwarded this email and want to learn more? Email Gene Downing so we can connect!

Thank You to Our Members & Partners

The SCHA extends our deepest gratitude to our members and partners. We appreciate your passion and dedication to the D.C. Community!

The Second Chance Hiring Alliance is convened by the Council for Court Excellence. The SCHA is a coalition of DC-area employers and other organizations that looks to create more job opportunities for those impacted by the justice system. We connect DC area employers and justice impacted job seekers, job readiness & workforce development programs, DC community-based organizations and DC government agencies that serve returning citizens. The SCHA focuses on educating employers on the benefits and importance of second chance hiring while centering the voices of those who are impacted by the justice system.