Valley of the Sun United Way is forming a new Fair Chance Collaborative to help address the multi-dimensional needs of individuals in the Phoenix metropolitan area who have been involved with the justice system. The Collaborative was catalyzed by a $500,000 investment from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.
The new Collaborative will build off existing efforts and explore comprehensive and interconnected Fair Chance approaches, including job training, placement, hiring and retention, as well as resources for housing, healthcare, financial health, entrepreneurial training and other needs of justice-involved individuals. Initial goals include providing technical assistance to nonprofits that assist justice-involved individuals as well as to employers working to increase Fair Chance hiring and retention. The Collaborative will bring together employers, Fair Chance service providers, educational institutions, public and government stakeholders, community leaders, justice-serving individuals and other key stakeholders.
The data underscores the importance of this work and initiative.
- Approximately 77 million Americans, or 1 in every 3 adults, have a criminal record.
- Arizona has the 8th highest incarceration rate in the country, with over 50,000 incarcerated and over 70,000 on probation or parole.
- A 2018 analysis found large employment disparities for formerly incarcerated individuals, with national unemployment rates over 27%. A related 2022 analysis indicated that it took formerly incarcerated individuals an average of over six months to find their first job after being released.
- Yet it has been found that 82% of managers think the value new employees with criminal records bring to organizations is as high or higher than that of workers that do not have criminal records.
- In addition, it was estimated that barriers to employment for individuals who are formerly incarcerated and convicted of felonies cause the U.S. economy to lose about $78 to $87 billion in annual GDP.
“Involvement in the justice system and past mistakes should not define a person’s future and hamper them from future opportunities to succeed after completing their legal obligations,” said Carla Vargas Jasa, president and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way. “Through our community-driven MC2026 plan, we’re partnering with others to increase Fair Chance hiring and supportive services so those involved in the justice system have every opportunity to succeed—for themselves, for their families and for our community. We’re grateful to JPMorgan Chase for investing in the power of this collaboration.”
“Everyone deserves a fair chance,“ said Noreen Bishop, managing director and head of Arizona for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, who also sits on the local leadership team for JPMorgan Chase. “We applaud the efforts of Valley of the Sun United Way to bring together the community to address the comprehensive needs of individuals who have been involved with the justice system so they can get the support they need and pursue good jobs and careers.
