Over the past year, we’ve been keeping a close eye on two important trends:
The unemployment rate in the US is the lowest it’s been in decades, creating the fiercest talent market in recent memory.
The incarceration rate in the US is (remains) the highest in the world, with around 6.5 of every 1,000 Americans currently behind bars.
As talent acquisition professionals, we live and breathe the realities of challenge #1 every day. We’ve also had a nagging sense for some time there is more we could be doing to help address challenge #2. To be sure, the incarceration problem in the US is a challenge with many layers, and will require similarly nuanced thinking, forward-thinking legislation, and public-private partnerships to effect meaningful and lasting change.
While the problem won’t be solved overnight, recent stats about the recidivism rate in the US, as well as our personal experiences seeing loved ones struggling to re-enter the workforce, have made clear there’s a huge opportunity to connect the previously incarcerated with progressive employers who are willing to look beyond criminal records and provide jobs (and second chances) to this severely underserved population of job seekers.
That’s why we’re excited and proud to officially announce the launch of Change State’s first social impact initiative — The Changed Project — a job board specifically for the previously incarcerated. We believe that change is possible for everyone, and that integrating the previously incarcerated back into our communities begins with the ability to find meaningful work, and a purpose.
The Road Ahead
We’re currently in the process of building version 1.0 of The Changed Project with a target beta launch of November 1, 2019. We’re also actively seeking partners and vendors in the talent acquisition space who want to be a part of this growing movement. Reach out at contact@thechangedproject.com.
And if you want to simply stay in the loop about our progress and launch, head on over to www.thechangedproject.com and join our mailing list.
We believe our communities are strongest when we lift each other up, and we’re thrilled to attempt to play a small part in creating this long-overdue change. We hope you’ll join us!
