April is about Second Chances. Each year, Second Chance Month recognizes the importance of helping individuals successfully return from incarceration. Everybody deserves a second chance, especially individuals returning to the workforce and making a difference in our communities. From webinars and funding opportunities to information on a variety of topics such as family engagement, housing, and mental health, the National Reentry Resource Center has a wealth of resources on how workforce and education partners can assist people returning to their communities.
Re-entering society and the workplace can feel overwhelming, but the Formerly Incarcerated Persons Guide on Illinois workNet helps individuals through that transition by laying out what individuals need to know to get back on their feet. A range of topics is covered, including essential documents, maintaining healthy relationships, and career progress. Several organizations are linked throughout that assist with health insurance, housing, SNAP benefits, financial assistance, training for a job, and more.
The guide features articles, including:
Illinois workNet offers other resources for Formerly Incarcerated Persons:
Employers and Workforce Professionals:
Reasons to Choose Formerly Incarcerated Candidates (Employer Article)
"Untapped Talent" is a workshop series for partners who assist formerly incarcerated persons and is currently underway with the WIOA Professional Development. This workshop series provides "best practices in hiring and retaining justice-impacted individuals." Obstacles facing these individuals along with resources and tools to assist with these challenges will be covered in each workshop. Find upcoming workshops, office hours, and recorded webinars today.
For additional information about National Second Chance Month and what you can do, visit the official page here and refer to the resources listed below:
Safer Foundation
Celebrate Second Chance Month and be among the first to experience Safer Foundation's new location at the Grand Opening of their southside office on April 13th from 12:00pm-1:00pm. See the flyer to learn more.
Safer Foundation is one of the nation's largest nonprofits that helps support people with arrest and conviction records. The new location offers a wide range of reentry and support services to the community, including:
Workforce GPS
Browse events on the Event Calendar using the "Second Chace Month" Series filter to find Job Fairs, record expungement events, program orientations for formerly incarcerated persons such a including. Employers can also find events related to hiring.
Connect with Illinois workNet on social media as we use the hashtag #SecondChanceMonth: