BOSTON - Tuesday,
April 27, 2021 - As part of the City of Boston’s efforts to reintegrate
returning citizens into the community, Mayor Kim Janey today announced a virtual job fair series designed to help current or formerly
justice-involved individuals access job openings, educational
opportunities, job search skills, and other critical resources. The
events, held throughout May, are organized by MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, BeProximate, and Project Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create
equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs).
“Each year, more
than 3,000 people return to Boston upon their release from
incarceration,” said Mayor Janey. “These returning citizens deserve the
opportunity to create a fresh start and make positive contributions to
their community. But that transition depends on our support. A second
chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical
resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series
promotes.”
In a
first-of-its-kind collaboration, series partners have worked together to
ensure that inmates at Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of
Correction can participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are
operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.
“We know that
good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the
success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff
Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building
and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care
and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many
returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and
opportunities like these is extremely important.”
“At MassHire
Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to
employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said
Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are
committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with
the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and
resources.”
The event series
is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires
participants to register at tinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows:
·
Why and How to Create a Resume: Tuesday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m.
·
Interview Basics: Thursday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m.
·
Job Fair Prep: Tuesday, May 11, 1-2:30 p.m.
·
Job Fair: Wednesday, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
·
Education/Resource Fair: Friday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m.
The job fair will
feature Amazon, Flour Bakery, Greater Boston Food Bank, Monroe Staffing,
VPNE, and Whole Foods Market, with more employers to come.
Mayor Janey has
proclaimed the final week of the series, May 17 - May 21, – which
culminates in the job fair and education/resource fair – “Second Chance
and Reentry Week” in Boston. The week will include an exhibit and panel discussions organized by BeProximate to advocate for
the support of returning citizens. Speakers will include Suffolk County
D.A. Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins, and
State Rep. Liz Miranda.
“In the City of
Boston, cross-sector fertilization drives social innovation to address
both citywide and neighborhood-specific needs,” said BeProximate founder
Diana Saintil. “However, we must extend our politics beyond our personal
proclivities to devise cross-sector solutions to address the most salient
reentry challenges in housing, employment, health, and education for
returning citizens. We must BeProximate to people with empathy. Proximity
with apathy is too great a threat to transformational change.”
In addition to
promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends
the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s
Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the
Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project
Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the
potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for
the cost of accessing a CORI, while partner Lawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full
representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged.
The job fair
series also supports the mission of the Mayor’s upcoming 2021 Summer
Violence Prevention Plan. The Plan develops a framework to scale up
prosocial activities, strengthen intervention efforts, ensure
neighborhoods are supported and connected to resources, expand
intentional outreach and engagement for specific populations, and provide
positive activities and community engagement in public spaces. |
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