National Reentry Workforce Collaborative Conference

Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee! I hope you’re enjoying temperate weather, or if not, you’re at least cozy. I’m trying to enjoy the quiet of the morning before the chaos starts. Good chaos, but chaos nonetheless. Halloween anticipation is a real thing in our house. Even the dog is wearing a Halloween collar. The chickens have some crazy arm costumes coming their way. There’s a lot of build-up. Our home has four gargoyles out front (well, two are actually more like griffins, but still fearsome), so the whole neighborhood has an expectation that we’re bringing it on the day. Today is the lead-up backyard BBQ, and we’re armed with real-sized candy and goodies for trick-or-treaters on the 31st. We find as many reasons as possible to wear costumes, by the way, so we’ve been to festivals all week, and every event or class the grandbabies participate in has included costumes this week. It’s been a full week.

On Friday, I drove to Philadelphia to participate in the annual conference hosted by the NRWC. I speak at conferences all the time, but this is the first time I’ve attended this one, and in fact, it was only their second conference to host. I can’t remember how I stumbled across it, I think maybe from an internet search on some reentry topic, but I was pretty jazzed to find an organization dedicating itself to reentry. The more I work in the reentry realm, the more I realize it’s just as broken as the rest of the criminal justice system. That’s a topic for many blog posts to come, I’m sure.

What was most impactful about this conference was the number of people convening in one place who dedicate themselves to reentry assistance, especially in the area of workforce. There were practitioners, funders, nonprofits, government, religious organizations…a group of like-minded people from all areas of assistance. I mean, that’s usually the #1 thing I get from conferences, but this is the first one I’ve attended that focused on workforce re-entry. It was hugely helpful. And as usual, there were people there that I knew. A group of folks from Tennessee found me, recognizing me from Zoom meetings we’ve been in during the past year (how fun is that?). And when my nonprofit partner Paul and I were speaking, two men who had been our students in the DOC were in our audience. That was the absolute best.

In the pursuit of a more just and equitable society, it is paramount that we address the needs of justice-impacted individuals, especially when it comes to their reintegration into the workforce. Providing them with the support and opportunities they need to secure meaningful employment is not just a matter of social responsibility; it's a crucial step in reducing recidivism rates and building stronger communities.

Formerly incarcerated individuals face a multitude of challenges at reentry. They often encounter societal stigma, limited job prospects, and, in many cases, a lack of relevant skills. Without assistance in finding employment, many may resort to the same activities that led to their incarceration, perpetuating the cycle of justice involvement.

One of the main points I heard made over and over in my conversations on Friday was that employment isn't just a source of income; it’s a path to stability, self-worth, and reintegration into the community. When justice-impacted individuals gain meaningful employment that leads to a long-term career, they become contributing members of society, rebuilding their lives and, in turn, strengthening the communities to which they return. We all know how it feels to know that we’re taking care of our business, and the pride that comes with that.

In addition to economic and community benefits, there are moral and ethical imperatives at play. If we really want to say that we are a society that believes in the principle of rehabilitation and second chances, then helping justice-impacted individuals secure employment reaffirms our commitment to these values and provides a practical way for folks to rebuild their lives.

It’s not easy, either. helping people to gain entrance in a meaningful career is a complex and multifaceted process that includes job training, soft skills development, and, crucially, the removal of barriers to employment, such as addressing the stigma associated with a criminal record. It requires cooperation between governmental agencies, nonprofits, employers, and the broader community.

Moreover, this assistance can’t just be an act of charity; it’s an investment in a safer, more just society. It's an investment in reducing recidivism rates and the associated social costs of crime, such as incarceration and the toll it takes on families. It’s breaking a generational pattern of incarceration. It’s not charity. It’s education. And it’s community.

If you need assistance in creating reentry programming or assistance for folks coming home, contact me here. Likewise, contact me if you just want to chat about your reentry efforts. And if you’re a returning citizen in need of assistance, definitely contact me.

Happy almost-Halloween. My wish for you is that you dress up and play a role for fun, hang out with friends and family who are also fun-loving, and eat all the goodies you want without a tummy ache.

Boo, ya’ll!