Primavera took part in a job fair in August that helped job seekers who may find challenges in getting a job due to a prior conviction.
Second Chance Tucson hosted the re-entry job fair on August 15 at the Tucson Convention Center. Second Chance Tucson is a “coalition of non-profit, faith-based, governmental, law enforcement agencies and employers inspired by former Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Pyle,” according to its website.
The focus is on “reducing recidivism and educating the community about those with a prior conviction with a focus on employment,” the site says.
“About 40% of the people we serve as Primavera Works have prior convictions, so by increasing the opportunities for the re-entry population in general, we’re increasing employment opportunities for our participants,” Primavera Works Director Karen Caldwell said.
Employers participating in the job fair were asked to be open to hiring candidates with a prior conviction.
Caldwell offered tips for those with a prior conviction seeking a job.
“Be honest, take ownership for what they’ve done. ‘Yes, I did this. It was a big mistake. Since then, I’ve learned,'” she said.
She advises speaking about what they’ve done that’s positive, such as having gone back to school, getting married, having a job for some time, or why they’d be a good fit for the job.
Find more information on the job fair and other resources available through Second Chance Tucson at secondchancetucson.org.