Getting hired—especially for that first post-release job—is one of the biggest hurdles a woman faces on her re-entry journey.
Nearly 75 percent of formerly incarcerated individuals remain unemployed one year after release due to the stigma attached to having a criminal record. [1]
Additionally, government policies deeming these individuals ineligible for professional licenses also create significant barriers to employment. Due to racial bias, the impact on black and Latino communities is particularly destructive.
Crossroads for Women’s dedicated vocational services team helps clients mitigate post-release employment barriers. Vocational Specialist Catherine Dowling supports women in the Maya’s Place program to connect with local education, training, and job opportunities.
Brandalyn, 32, knows first-hand the impact of restrictive professional licensing and criminal record stigma. Without hesitation, she named stigma as her biggest concern before being hired post-release this summer at Donut Mart, even though “recent research has found that employees with records are retained at a higher rate than those without criminal histories”. [1, pg. 8]
Joblessness is the single most important predictor of recidivism. [1, pg. 4]
Brandalyn’s Story of Post-Release Employment success
When Brandalyn arrived at Maya’s Place in April, she already possessed an understanding of resume creation and interview skills. She also had an abundance of previous work experience with Burlington, KFC, Kmart, and Sandia Springs Assisted Living.
Prior to her incarceration, Brandalyn was not only a working mom and primary caregiver to her two children, but she also helped her grandmother maintain independent living by providing home care.
Before beginning her job search in month three of the Maya’s program, Brandalyn learned Donut Mart was hiring from fellow Maya’s Place client and Donut Mart employee, Frances.
“I want to be seen as me, not my charges.” – Brandalyn
Brandalyn applied for a counter position as a walk-in and after a brief interview, she was hired. Since June she has been working roughly 32 hours a week for Donut Mart.
Brandalyn works at two different store locations, typically between 10 A.M. and 9 P.M. One store is in the middle of Albuquerque and the other is on the West Side, which means she sometimes takes six buses a day. “In addition to early morning chores and classes here at Maya’s Place and the required parole phone calls, it can seem chaotic and stressful at times. But I know responsibility is what prepares us for when we leave here.”
One of the most important things she says she has learned from Catherine (Maya’s Place Vocational Specialist) is budgeting. “After not having my kids for seven years, it’s so nice to have money to pay for my daughter’s marching band and for my son’s football fees.”
“We all make mistakes. These women are human, they are part of our community, and they need jobs.” – Qurat Gauba, Donut Mart
When asked how Brandalyn is doing with her job, Qurat Gauba of Donut Mart replied, “Brandalyn is a very good employee.” Explaining what compels their local family business to hire formerly-incarcerated women, Qurat says: “We all make mistakes. These women are human, they are part of our community, and they need jobs. I think we have five Maya’s Place clients currently working for us, and they’re all doing really great.”
Brandalyn would one day like to return to caregiving, and hopes for a future where she might play a role in the home healthcare business with her mom. “I want to be seen as me, not my charges,” says Brandalyn.
Congratulations to Brandalyn on her continued success at Donut Mart, and sincere thanks to the Gauba family for providing employment opportunities to Crossroads for Women clients.
Written by Terry Tucker
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[1] Back to Business: How Hiring Formerly Incarcerated Job Seekers Benefits Your Company
Read the full Back to Business: How Hiring Formerly Incarcerated Job Seekers Benefits Your Company report from the Trone Private Sector and Education Advisory Council to the American Civil Liberties Union
To find the Donut Mart nearest you, visit https://www.donutmartusa.com/