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Bluebag Media
Employers
taking a new look at felons
GREENVILLE – “I started thinking he’d make it when he took that
porta-potty job at the fair… that’s not an easy job,” said Jon Heffner,
Darke County Workforce Development. At first, Heffner didn’t see it
happening. The felon had a bad heroin charge and addiction. He went
through welding class and worked at a variety of places… “He would walk
two or three miles to meet with us,” Heffner added. “He had many bad
breaks, but persevered.”
Ten years ago, five years ago – even today with some companies – the
employment doors for this felon – let’s call him John Q – would be
automatically closed. Chances for recidivism would be high; and if no
jobs were available he would remain just another statistical drain on
society.
Today there’s another option. Through a partnership between Workforce
Development and the Darke County Adult Probation Office, a number of
local companies have agreed to look at felon applicants on a
case-by-case basis. John Q is now gainfully employed. “He is our poster
child for working his way up the ladder,” Heffner said. “This young man
earned it...
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