LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY)– Starting over after making a mistake is hard enough, but for people coming out of prison, just getting a shot at a steady job can feel nearly impossible. Even with the time served and lessons learned, the stigma often sticks. But, there are people out there trying to change that.

Finding a job can be challenging, however, with programs and job fairs designed specifically to help people who are formally incarcerated, it’s a start at a second chance.

Pastor Charles Bbanks of Fellowship Full Gospel Ministries said he started the 2nd Chance Job Fair back in 2015 as a way to help formally incarcerated individuals start over. Formally incarcerated himself, Pastor Banks said it wasn’t until he was given a vision by God and hope for a better life did he try to do the same for others like him.

“I am a convicted felon and so that the law they on my hard to put on a job there and give these young men and women hope again.” Banks said.

Banks said the stigma surrounding people who have served time, no matter the crime tends to hinder their chances of starting over once released. This is where the 2nd Chance Job Fair comes in to help give formerly incarcerated people hope and a chance to get back on track. He said the job fair consists of employers that hire formerly incarcerated people.

“We have seen a great number of employers who have all come on board and came to job fairs to give these young men and women a second chance.” Banks said. “And so if you don’t know that, you know, is a tax credit to the employer, that when they hire ex-offenders, we hire these young men and women so that we have seen a great, great increase on employers giving these young men and women a second chance. We truly appreciate them all.”

Pastor Banks said partnering with the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission along with other organizations helps make the job fair available. He said when it comes to preparing those who were incarcerated, his advice is to make sure they have a changed mindset.

“Tell people all the time that you got to have confidence, you got a confidence, you got to be president, you have to keep going. You know, you can’t give up and you’re going with the right mindset. All things are possible. You can get through it.” Banks said.

The 2nd Chance Job Fair will be held July 16th at the Heymann Center from 10 am to 12 noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Also coming up is a job readiness workshop to help prepare former inmates for the workforce with resume building, dress code, and more. That will be held on June 25th at Bridge Ministries on University Ave. from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. More information can be found here.

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