Thirty-Two-Two engages with employers and community partners to consider expanding their talent pool by hiring those touched by the criminal justice system. Using our voices as business and community leaders we advocate, educate, and encourage other employers in the community to hire from the returning citizens population. By providing real data from neighboring companies, sharing relevant information, having meaningful conversations, and linking to tools and resources, we hope to lay a foundation and continue the dialogue around second-chance employment in our community and across the county.

 We have been fortunate to have been invited twice to Washington, DC to discuss our work at the White House under two administrations. Additionally, we are incredibly thankful for the opportunities within our West Michigan community including co-hosting a Community of Practice with TalentFirst, recognizing National Reentry Month with the US Attorney’s Office Western District, and sitting on multiple panels with wonderful thought leaders.

But MOST importantly, we are thankful for the opportunity to share the stories of returning citizens and employers in our community who have benefited from employment. We recognize that not every story has a “happy ending” and every employer/employee relationship isn’t going to work out - but we are humbled by the stories of those who were able to reconnect with their families, earn a degree, get a promotion, serve their communities in a meaningful way - in part because they could perform meaningful work.