The FairCosa Foundation
Mission
from historically underprivileged communities
to aid in improving quality of life through
education, training, and community development.
Approximately 8 percent of all Americans have a felony record (Shannon et. al, 2017). In order to re-enter society successfully, these people require a job, dependable transportation and a place to live. Unfortunately, it’s not easy. Many potential employers ask job candidates to specify a felony record on the application. Only 11 states passed “Ban the Box” laws that prohibit this question: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Here in Ohio, the box often means that a felon, trying to create a new life as a responsible citizen, loses the job.
So how does a person re-enter life successfully? According to Matthew Fairfield, founder and president of the FairCosa Foundation, “get job-based training, especially in a field that pays a living wage, and try to get it when you’re still inside.”
The FairCosa Foundation trains candidates to become transportation industry brokers or dispatchers, at first while incarcerated and later in a foundation-based home. “Because we provide training where participants live, transportation issues are lessened. After about a year, graduates of the program can get a job with our partner, Coast 2 Coast Logistics, LLC, or work for another brokerage.”
According to Fairfield, employers in the transportation industry rarely prohibit felons from jobs. “Labor shortages lead to jobs with good pay. More truck driver jobs exist than good drivers. Companies need more trained brokers and dispatchers too.
The FairCosa Foundation’s training program for participants in the Grafton Correctional Institution begins in June 2019. The Foundation partners with correctional institutions and the Ohio Department of Corrections. The FairCosa Foundation celebrates Second Chances Month this April.
We all deserve a future - help us clear the way.
The FairCosa Foundation
email: support@faircosa.com
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On Twitter @ faircosa
and to the #powerhousecreatives for their awesome
community support. All proceeds from this post go toward supporting The FairCosa Foundation.
