According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, more than 17 million Americans with criminal records struggle to find jobs. Without steady work or financial stability, many end up returning to prison.
In April, Governor Stein declared the month as "Second Chance Month," a designation that brings attention to the challenges faced by people with criminal records.
One Sandhills business is stepping up to help those with records reenter the workforce and rebuild their lives.
D3 Delivery Moving Company in Fayetteville is working to change that. Over the past five years, owner Jelissa Thomas has opened her doors to individuals who have been incarcerated, offering not just jobs but a path to stability.
"We believe that work is one way to move forward with your life versus having to resort back to something that could lend you back in the justice system again," said Thomas.
For Thomas, the mission is personal. She watched her own father and brother struggle to find employment after their release. Now, her brother is part of the D3 Delivery team.
"The options for places to work once you did get a record were very slim. And so I wanted to start D3 Delivery to give people another option to do," Thomas said.
During interviews, Thomas is direct with applicants about her hiring philosophy. "The first thing I say in my interviews is that having a criminal history here is not a big deal. But I do need to be aware of what you may have out there because at the end of the day, with us moving houses, with it being such a personal service, I still want to make sure that my customers are protected."
Thomas' efforts have caught the attention of city leaders. In February, the City of Fayetteville awarded her and 22 others microgrants to help prevent crime and build safer neighborhoods.
"Microgrants are about building safer communities from the ground up," said Nelson Soriano, Neighborhood Engagement Manager for Fayetteville. "The community knows what the community needs. Who better to fix that? We provide the resources. I think that having a unified front with the resources behind it is the way to get things done."
Through D3 Delivery, Thomas hopes to give others the second chance her family needed.
"I always think about with my background, my dad was justice-involved as well. And so I think about the little girl that I was and the little girls out there that look like me, that may need their dads to have a chance to work. It helps me wake up every day to further my mission," Thomas said.
SEE ALSO | Home offers hope for women transitioning out of justice system
This Friday, D3 Delivery and the Heal the Ville nonprofit will host a 'Life After Release' panel, sharing real stories and practical advice on managing money after incarceration.
Life After Release Panel
Location: 651 Country Club Drive, Fayetteville, NC
When: Friday, April 17
Time: 6 pm
Topic: The panel will discuss real stories from people who've lived it. They will also discuss financial reset and financial literacy. The panel is open to the justice-involved individuals, families, and the community.
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