Giving people a second chance is the right thing to do. Businesses need to move beyond a candidate’s worst moment but not everyone with a criminal background is ready for employment. Conversely, most employers aren’t prepared to hire formerly incarcerated individuals.

There are nearly 20 million people in the United States with a felony conviction. This group represents an enormous, underutilized labor resource that can be cultivated correctly for all parties. It’s not prudent for a business that is short on talent to exclude people with a criminal history from its workforce.

We learned these realities after building a nationally recognized second chance employment program over four years at a manufacturer based in Colton, CA. Marginalized employees require additional support and resources as well as a smarter, more sophisticated approach that deviates from traditional methods.

We help businesses go beyond labels to develop second chance employment programs. A growing business’ best opportunity to scale may be uncovered by hiring marginalized workers. The right program can serve as a catalyst for your business and your people. Let’s co-create that together.