Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) Launches Second-Chance Employment Campaign

-“Let My People Work” site makes case for stronger Florida economy –

Desmond Meade

ORLANDO – On October 3rd, 2024, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) will launch a second-chance employment campaign to help educate people about the opportunities and challenges that employers, industries, and communities face in employing workers with past records.

“Second-chance employment is good for Florida’s economy,” said FRRC Executive Director Desmond Meade. “This campaign shows how breaking down barriers to economic mobility for people with records is good for Florida—Florida employers, Florida employees, and Florida families all across the state.”

FRRC partnered with OIC of South Florida on the development of this statewide campaign. OIC is one of the premier workforce-development and family-strengthening programs in Florida. OIC’s mission is to provide training and skill development to people who lack opportunity and resources, providing access to meaningful careers so the individuals in their programs can become more self-sufficient and confident members of their communities.

“We know that providing jobs and economic opportunities to individuals returning to the community after incarceration reduces recidivism,” said Newton Sanon, President
and CEO of OIC of South Florida. “When people can work, it works. It restores their dignity, enabling them to build self-confidence and self-sufficiency that, in turn, empowers them to build stable and productive lives.”

The first phase of this campaign shines a light on barriers to work and their impacts on Floridians from all walks of life:

● Florida puts over 400 restrictions on job licensing for workers with past records. These licensing restrictions cost Florida $11.6 billion per year and over 129,000 jobs.

● Barriers to work hurt our tax base. Just one home sale in Florida generates $122,000 in economic impact. When people can’t access job opportunities, it’s harder for them to attain homeownership, and communities all across Florida miss out on this economic driver.

● Reducing these barriers helps keep Florida safe. People who stay employed for one year post-release are 3.25 times less likely to recidivate compared to everyone released. Recidivism drops even more when a person finds a job soon after release and their work is stable and skilled.

Everyone benefits when we expand pathways to employment and job licensing for workers with records. Whether you’re an employer, a policymaker, or a student, this issue impacts you—and you can help do something about it. Go to floridarrc.com/letmypeoplework to learn more and get involved.