We want to be the “yes”

The women in our ReStart program come to us in need of a second chance, or maybe even a first chance – to join the workforce, to provide for themselves and their children, to realize just how valuable they are. The road that leads them to our door is difficult one.

A commonality that many of our ReStart employees share is a history of drug abuse and/or felony convictions. It goes without saying that either one of these histories make it incredibly difficult to secure employment. In 2014, Illinois passed a “ban the box” law that prohibits employers (with more than 15 employees) from asking about felony convictions on the initial application. They can, however, ask for that disclosure once the candidate has been offered an interview or conditional job offer.

It’s a good first step, but still leaves the door open for an employer to pass over a qualified applicant on the basis of the criminal past. It’s fully within their rights to do so, and I’m sure you could imagine their reservations if you put yourself in their shoes.

But, just as with any person you meet, there’s always more to the story.

These women are more than the label they now carry. Most are open about their past transgressions and wrong turns, and are trying to find a better way for themselves and for their children.

As we launched ReStart, we soon realized that because of the inextricable correlations between poverty, homelessness, incarceration, and drug use, that program participants will likely bring with them a complicated past. But if we were truly offering a restart, then we needed to welcome them. As a Christ-centered organization, how could it be any other way? Just as Jesus did time and time again, we are called to see beyond the labels and the baggage and find the person in need of forgiveness and hope.

One of our ReStart employees shared that after 22 “nos” from potential employers, we were the first yes. Because of that yes, that same employee is now moving on to full time employment, just as several others have before her.

As we continue to expand the reach and scope of ReStart, this tenant will remain:

We want to be the yes.