From the Inside Out: It Only Takes a "YES"
From Release to Reality: The Harsh Road Back to Work
Formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed at a rate over 27%, higher than during the Great Depression, and the numbers are even worse for women. Source: Prison Policy Initiative – Out of Prison & Out of Work
One of our former apprentices experienced firsthand the harsh realities of reentering society after incarceration. Within 6 months of her release, she knew it was time to get back on her feet, starting with finding a job. Like many women in her position, she wanted more than just a paycheck; she wanted a sense of purpose and stability, but the journey wasn’t easy. Her criminal record limited her options, and the type of charge she carried barred her from returning to the field she once worked in and loved. She was forced to pivot quickly and settle for a physically demanding, low-paying job that barely met minimum wage. It was a tough pill to swallow, but it was the only door that was open at the time.
Getting a job is hard enough as it is. Now imagine doing it after years away from the world, not being up to speed with today’s technology, with a criminal record, no recent work history, and a big pile of judgment waiting at every interview. For women coming home from incarceration, finding stable work isn’t just about income it’s about rebuilding an identity, restoring dignity, and finally getting a shot at something better. The road back? It’s bumpy, full of holes and for many, it starts with one question: “Who’s going to hire me now?”
Let’s talk: The Barriers
Here’s the truth: the system isn’t built to help women land on their feet after incarceration. Between background checks, stigma, outdated skills, and the pressure of supporting kids or family, it can feel like the odds are stacked sky-high. To add to that, employers, society, and even family don’t always know how to truly support someone coming home from incarceration. The guidance isn’t always there. Understanding is often missing and when that support system falls short, even applying for a minimum wage job can feel like climbing Mount Everest in the dark, exhausting, intimidating, and nearly impossible without someone to light the way.
The shame, the doubt, the silence, and the lack of support… it’s not just unfair, it’s all way to heavy. It’s talent, potential, and resilience that’s being pushed aside and overlooked. We as women have so much to offer, but without the right opportunities and encouragement, it’s as if the system is telling us we don’t matter. It’s not just wrong, it’s a loss for all of us.
Game Changer: Skills, Confidence and Support.
Here’s where things start to shift, having support, training, someone in your corner that’s motivating you and being your inspiration, is the first start to rebuilding. That’s why job readiness programs help. Interview coaching and mentorships are total game-changers.
Because when a woman believes she belongs in the workforce, she starts walking into rooms differently. She owns her story, knows her worth and employers can feel that energy. It’s bigger than just the workplace. When a woman feels like she belongs not just on the job, but in her family and in society she carries herself with confidence, resilience, and purpose. Her head is held high, her presence is strong, and she moves forward knowing she can overcome whatever obstacles stand in her way. That kind of transformation doesn’t just change her life it ripples out and changes everything around her.
Proof that it works, Real Stories
We’ve worked with apprentices who walked through our doors carrying more than just a criminal record, they carried deep self-doubt, discouragement, and the weight of repeated rejection. Some had low confidence in themselves, unsure of how to even begin applying for jobs. Others had already tried sending out dozens of applications, reaching out to assistance programs only to be met with silence, denial, or worse, judgment. Each “no”, chipped away at their hope, making it harder to believe that a “yes” could and would ever come.
For many, the struggle goes beyond employment. Just getting back on track with everyday life was overwhelming, from reconnecting with family and community to even feeling comfortable making eye contact or having a conversation. The world they return to moves fast, and they are expected to catch up without skipping a beat.
But here’s what we know: transformation is possible. We’ve seen it happen with our own eyes. LMG women didn’t get lucky, they got determined. They showed up, leaned into support, and refused to let their past define their future. With each step, they rebuilt not just a résumé, but a sense of identity, worth, and purpose, and that’s where real change begins.
A New Chapter Starts with a Chance
Nobody should be punished forever for something they’ve already paid for. Everyone deserves the chance to start again, and work is one of the most powerful ways to do it.
If you're an employer, consider what hiring a real-chance candidate could mean not just for them, but for your team. If you're someone who’s been there: keep going. You are not your record. You are resilient.
Call to Action:
Employer:
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Hire the potential, and not the resume.
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Be the first to give someone a real chance to succeed by seeing beyond the record.
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Be the employer who opens the door instead of locking it
Community:
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Support reentry and advocate for change.
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Ask yourself what you can do to make a difference in the community by supporting individuals who are reentering society and support reentry programs.
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Remember it takes a community to make a "chance " work.
Returning Citizens
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You are not your past, you are your persistence, keep showing up for yourself.
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All it takes is one “yes” to change everything, so don't give up when you get “no”.
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Your story isn't over, you are still writing it, and every new chapter begins with you.
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You have overcome and conquered the hardest part, so continue to rise.
