Public Safety

Job Fair Hosted for Justice-Involved People Seeking Employment for Reentry

Probation, Sheriff officials at fair
Probation, Sheriff and CEO officials encourage attendees to strive for a better life.
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As part of National Second Chance Month, more than 200 people, many of whom had been previously incarcerated and are now looking for a fair chance to be part of the workforce, attended an employer seminar and job fair.

The free event, hosted by the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE), was held downtown last Thursday, April 13 and included 20 booths for companies like CVS, Amazon, Western Towing and Goodwill Industries, along with companies who encourage sustainable practices.

OLSE provides employers and job seekers training regarding the California’s Fair Chance Act, which was designed to reduce barriers to employment for individuals formerly incarcerated, so that job seekers can be judged by their work qualifications, and not solely on their past, said Branden Butler, deputy director of OLSE.

Alesia Blackington, 31, is a participant of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) program which provides employment services for justice-involved jobseekers.

“Everywhere I looked, it was hard to find a job. My background killed it. But CEO helped me to find a job and to get my forklift operator’s license. They teach you how to do your resume, how to search for jobs, how to communicate with employers and how to dress. I like this place,” Blackington said. “It wasn’t easy, but this place helped me put one foot in front of the other.”

Blackington is looking for a job, “I’m open to anything, but I have my forklift license, so probably that. I’d like something in construction or even a job as a counselor.” She wants to help others who are trying to overcome obstacles and challenges similar to what she has done.

Man Talking to audienceThe seminar portion included information for job seekers and encouragement from the San Diego Sheriff Department Reentry Services and San Diego County Probation Chief Tamika Nelson. Employers could also learn about 2023 new California labor laws, employer rights and ways to access more talent.

“Job readiness and employment services are critical components to successful reentry for our clients,” Chief Nelson said. “Collaboration and partnership with these programs remain a top priority for the Probation department to ensure the future success of our clients as they reenter the community.”

Nelson told the group one of the ways they are doing this is by transforming its supportive model for justice-involved adult clients reentering the community or on community supervision. In addition to supervising case probation officers, the department wants to start assigning contracted resource navigators to work with the clients on individualized case plans that takes the person’s needs and circumstances into consideration.

Another job seeker, Valentino Price, said he made sure to come to the fair because he knew that these employers would have some experience in hiring people who had made mistakes in their lives but were seeking to make things right again.

“I do have some skills and I served in the Army for six years. For the most part, I do like working,” Price said.

Patricia Ceballos, who manages the Sheriff Reentry Services, wished the group luck in finding employment saying, “Our justice-involved populations are hard workers and are ready to work.”

 

Yvette Urrea Moe is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact