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.

“Second chance hiring gives the opportunity to prove to yourself, as well as others, that you are just as capable and qualified as anyone else.”

-S.B., justice impacted person

What is Second Chance Hiring?

Second chance hiring is the practice of hiring individuals with a criminal record, to give them a fair and supported second chance and employment, becoming a meaningful part of the community and life.

SCHA To Hold Two Events for Second Chance Month in April

Here in D.C. and nationally, April is recognized as Second Chance Month. It recognizes the importance of supporting the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. Employment is a critical piece of this work, and SCHA is excited to host two events in April for Second Chance Month:

Federal Hiring for People with Criminal Records: Webinar with the U.S. Department of Labor

April 23, 2024, 12:30 p.m. via Zoom

There are many federal jobs in the D.C. area, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to curating a diverse workforce that is a true representation of the nation it serves, including job seekers who may have a criminal record. If you are interested in exploring a career with the federal government and curious about how your unique skills sets can be utilized in supporting the American workforce, join us on April 23, 2024, from 12:30 – 1:30pm ET where you can learn how to navigate the federal hiring process from Human Resources experts at DOL! Sign up now for an interactive opportunity to learn about who DOL is, how to find and apply to available federal jobs, and debunk commonly held myths about navigating the background process.

RSVP HERE FOR FEDERAL HIRING WEBINAR

District of Second Chances Film Screening and Reception

for SCHA members and partners

April 25, 6 – 9 p.m., NYU-Washington DC, Abramson Family Auditorium, 1307 L St. NW

 

Join 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, for a special screening of the documentary District of Second Chances at NYU Washington DC’s Abramson Family Auditorium! This film highlights the experiences of three men from D.C. who were sentenced in their youth to life in prison who have since been released. There will be a pre-screening reception from 6 – 6:30 for SCHA members and partners and event sponsors. Following the screening, we will be joined by the subjects of the documentary, Anthony “Pete” Petty, Gene Downing, and Colie Levar Long, for a panel discussion moderated by the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce. RSVP using the Eventbrite link below. Tickets are limited and will be made available to the general public on April 8th, so reserve your seat early!

RSVP HERE FOR SCREENING OF DISTRICT OF SECOND CHANCES

SCHA Member Spotlight: LINK Strategic Partners

LINK Strategic Partners is an inaugural member of SCHA. In this issue’s member highlight, Jamal Holtz, Chief of Staff at LINK, shares how their team is stronger, more vibrant, and better able to work with and for the DC community and abroad because of the firm’s justice-impacted colleagues.

Read more about how LINK has leaned into second chance hiring.

Please reach out to Gene Downing if you would like your business to be featured in a future newsletter.

Resource Spotlight – Second Chance Hiring Resource Guide

The Manufacturing Institute published Second Chance Initiative Resource Guide: The Case for Second Chance Hiring. This guide is designed to give industry the tools needed to explore and implement Second Chance hiring practices. This resource offers perspectives and rationale on why implementing Second Chance hiring may be a good fit for your company, including the business case, the value to employees and customers, and your community impact.

Second Chance Hiring News

In December 2023, Harvard Business Review published 3 Myths About Hiring People with Criminal Records. This article addresses 3 common myths about hiring people with criminal records and debunking the narrative that people with criminal records are likely to reoffend, that recidivism depends on the crime committed and that there’s no way of knowing if someone will reoffend. This article serves as more than just a myth buster, it also highlights how second chance hiring can benefit the employer, employee, and the U.S. economy. It’s imperative to highlight such articles to combat the negatives connotations relegated to justice-impacted job seekers.

SCHA Members

New members since the last newsletter are noted with an “*”

Council for Court Excellence
Ben’s Chili Bowl
LINK Strategic Partners
Georgetown Pivot Program
Calloway & Company, LLC
Melanie Bates Consulting, LLC
Flikshop
Strategy Forward Advisors*
MM Staffing*
US Department of Labor*
Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce*
Broken Chains
Community Family Life Services
Negotiation Works
Center for Employment Opportunities
Honest Jobs
Central Union Mission
Jobs Have Priority*

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!