His experience isn't an outlier, it's the norm.
Last month, “K” stopped by our office looking for support with finding a second job. He already had a serving position he loved, but like many people reentering the community, he needed additional income to cover all the bills and navigate the financial demands of starting over. Despite the pressure, his energy was (and always is) infectious.
“K” couldn't stop talking about his current serving job...how much he loved the work, how welcoming his coworkers were, how he was finally getting his footing. Our team was already planning a "before work" breakfast visit so we could sit in his section and quietly cheer him on. He was doing everything right.
Two weeks later, “K” was back in our office. I overheard him talking about job interviews and, as I usually do, poked my head out to ask how the secondary job search was going. The disappointment on his face told me everything before he said a word.
"Well…it's turned into my primary job search. The restaurant fired me because of my background check...even though I've already been working there a month."
Doing Everything Right...And Still Losing
Here's what makes this particularly difficult: “K” was upfront and honest about his history during the application and interview process. This is something we emphasize from the very first RISE class our participants attend. It's something “K” not only mastered himself, but also taught others when he served in a leadership position inside.
He was transparent. He was hired. He worked well…for a full month. And despite his performance, despite his coachability, despite everything he brought to the team, they let him go anyway. Just in case. A month into his employment.
“K” went from crushing it to being crushed.
The Reality Behind the "Now Hiring" Signs
Drive around Nebraska and you'll see "Now Hiring" signs on every corner, plastered on billboards across the state. Employers are actively seeking workers. Yet when talented, motivated people like “K” show up ready to work, this is what happens.
And “K”'s experience isn't an outlier, it's the norm.
Employment isn't a silver bullet for successful reentry, but it sure is a lifeline. A steady job provides stability, dignity, routine, and the financial foundation people need to rebuild their lives. Without it, the barriers to reentry become almost insurmountable.
What This Means for Our Community
When someone returning from incarceration can't maintain employment, not due to performance but due to blanket policies applied after they've already proven themselves, we all lose. Families lose financial stability. Communities lose contributing members. Employers lose trained workers they've already invested in.
And the individual loses something perhaps more critical: hope.
We're committed to walking alongside people like “K” through these setbacks, helping them navigate the next opportunity, and advocating for hiring practices that give people a genuine chance to prove themselves. Because when we say we believe in second chances, it has to mean more than just words on an application.
It has to mean a real opportunity to succeed.
If you're an employer interested in learning more about fair chance hiring practices, or if you'd like to support our employment readiness programs, please reach out. Together, we can create pathways to success that actually lead somewhere.
