Giving Inmates A Second Chance: OKC Chamber Joins Criminal Justice Council For Hiring Expo

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is partnering with the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council to give Oklahoma inmates a second chance after coming out of jail.

Executive Director of Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council Tim Tardibono said this partnership is vital, "We wanted to host this opportunity to bring those two groups together because sometimes they miss each other."

The Fair Chance Hiring Expo is a full circle moment for TEEM Employment Navigational Drew Cook.

"I am an individual who struggled with substance use for many many years. I was in and out of jail had a lot of difficulties finding my footing, Cook said.

Then someone believed in him and it gave him hope..

"Once upon a time there were people who implanted a dream in me that I am not just a felon. I am more than that."  

Becoming more: that is something the chamber recognizes is the key to preventing recidivism.

"We know that jobs are the key to their success. It is the key ingredient, and we have many employers and members who need great employees."

President And Ceo of The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Kristy Gillenwater said, "Sometimes there is a stigma that we need to overcome so we would just encourage you as an employer to start down that journey."

"Give the individuals that we serve a chance. When you work with individuals that are part of a diversion program such as TEEM. You get that confidence that you get to see that person's life beyond the 9 to 5 that you have them," Cook said.

Through this, they hope to change lives.

"Whenever I get to sit down with somebody I am talking to a version of myself and so I get to be somebody I wish I had back then," Cook said.

Some of the programs represented included the following: 

1. https://www.teem.org/
2. https://www.remergeok.org/
3. https://www.hopecsi.org/
4. https://www.okcchamber.com/
5. https://www.okcountycjac.com/