In 2022, finding and hiring talent continues to be a one of the biggest challenges for businesses. Motivated by the shortage, employers are reassessing strategies and exploring talent pools previously overlooked by the labor market.
Meanwhile, each year more than a half a million Americans reenter society from incarceration. Following reentry, however, a criminal record and gap in work history can present a major barrier to securing stable employment for years to come. According to a Prison Policy report conducted in 2008, the unemployment rate for those individuals who had been formerly incarcerated was more than 5 times that of the general public.
Justice Jobs is a Frederick-based organization specifically focused on helping individuals experiencing these types of barriers forge a positive path forward. We caught up with Bob Clegg , the Executive Director of the organization, to discuss the organization’s mission and the opportunities he sees within Frederick’s workforce.
What is the Mission of Justice Jobs?
Our mission is to help people with barriers to employment to get a job, keep a job, and move up to better jobs. We assist anyone who asks for our help. Our vision is a Maryland where anyone who needs a job, wants a job, and can hold a job, can get a job.
“Barriers to employment,” even in a hiring economy, include histories of incarceration or substance abuse; homelessness or resume gaps; transportation, childcare, or technology issues; or effects of sexism, genderism, racism, ageism, or ableism. Our services are free and for anyone.
What services does your organization provide?
Our services include:
Intake interviews
Referrals for other needs
Quality caseworker assistance
Resume assistance
Soft skills training
Reference checks
Jobseeker-Employer matching
Job interview scheduling
Post-interview follow-ups
Mentorship after placement
What opportunities do you see for the Frederick community in the work that you do?
Globally, one such opportunity is expressed by our Vision Statement:
“Our vision is a Maryland where everyone who needs a job, wants a job, and can hold a job, can get a job – no matter what barriers to employment they may experience.”
This is not only a vision – it is now being made real in the lives of 200+ people who have gotten jobs through Justice Jobs.
More particular opportunities for Frederick relate to the roles different people play here at Justice Jobs:
Our jobseekers obviously benefit by receiving training interview skills and job retention training, a resume, guidance toward realistic places to apply to (given their particular situation), 1:1 assistance from a volunteer who helps them complete and submit applications online, and advocacy from our office to employers after the applications are submitted, whereby we seek to set up interviews for our jobseekers.
Our volunteers also benefit – a key part of our mission is to provide places in our work for community members to “give back” in ways that make meaning for their lives, and for them to develop relationships with people who don’t look like them or who have life experiences very different from theirs.
Our donors benefit by becoming part of a team that makes for transformed lives.
And our employers benefit by receiving referrals that provide appropriately screened jobseekers for them to consider and interview, which lowers their HR costs, as well as by becoming part of a larger community that serves others by providing second chances.
How have you seen the current labor market impact your work?
When the pandemic began, we had an immediate increase in jobseekers because unemployment soared and there were more job seekers available than ever before. Ironically at that time, there were lots of jobs also available, with many people not willing to work. However, our experience was that many people were still not qualified due to barriers to employment as mentioned above. Our caseload increased 2.5-fold during the height of the pandemic, and our hiring rate is now double what it was 2½ years ago.
More employers are becoming second chance employers. The opiate epidemic has affected nearly everyone in this country – nearly everyone has experienced a tragedy either in their family or within their circle of friends. This has resulted in many employers relaxing background restrictions. Recently, one of our jobseekers with a problematic record got a job with a national chain that perhaps would never have given him an interview two years ago.
How can someone struggling with an employment barrier best Engage with your services?
The first workshop that all jobseekers must attend is our Jobseeker Placement Program. This is a three day, half day workshop where we focus on Orienting Jobseekers on our program, preparing the perfect elevator pitch about themselves, good first impressions, interview skills vial mock interviews, personal finance and signing Jobseekers up for a personal Case Manager through our office if they desire it.
Once Jobseekers complete this workshop, we schedule an intake interview where we get geographical information as well as previous work experiences and likes/dislikes. Next is an appointment to build their resume and assisting them in applying for positions. And when requested more practice interviewing for specific positions.
The second workshop we offer is called “I Interview Great Now!” and is a full day with lunch included. This training is geared specifically for those who have been involved in the parole, probation, criminal or civil legal system and are having trouble finding a job. A representative from Maryland Legal Aid is part of the workshop and discusses the expungement process and will offer their agency’s services if applicable. Again, the Elevator Pitch about themselves is developed as well as a Conviction Speech to bring up past issues in an honest and forthcoming manner so that there are no surprises to the employer. This workshop is sponsored by Frederick County through a vendor contract administered by Frederick County Workforce Services.
How can a local company become involved in your organization and/or support your mission?
Contact us at info@justicejobsmd.org or through our website at www.justicejobsmd.org, or by phone at 301-360-3503 and tell us you’d like to volunteer, become an employer partner, or help out in whatever way you want.
We need volunteers of all sorts. Volunteers can do intake interviews and online applications with jobseekers, facilitate jobseeker training sessions, mentor hired jobseekers on the job, and visit employers to develop relationships between employers, employees, and Justice Jobs.
Is your business growing and adding workforce? Contact The City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development for additional resources at 301-600-6360 or business@cityoffrederickmd.gov.