It’s hard to imagine someone spending 24 years in prison, let alone 10 of those in solitary confinement, but 5 years after his release, he’s the Vice President of Social Responsibility at tech innovator CHECKR, and Executive Director of their corporate foundation, Checkr.org.  This is the journey of Ken Oliver.  In the broad landscape of fair chance hiring, Ken knows firsthand the barriers that face anyone who has been justice impacted. As Ken says, ‘it’s not just someone’s criminal record, but there are 44,000 other collateral consequences that can prevent a justice impacted person from finding a job’.  Ken has chosen to take up the flaming sword and use his powerful and passionate voice to educate corporate America, one company at a time, about the fair hiring practices associated with assessing justice impacted individuals when they are applying for a job.

The Hustler Files Ep. 59 - It Only Takes One Voice to Be the Change

Sheriff Patrick Cahillane will tell you that as an elected official of the people, his first responsibility is to the community. But as part of that citizen responsibility, Sheriff Cahillane is also progressive in his thought processes and actions, and as such implements programs and opportunities that will not only help those in his charge, behind the wall, but also those who are released and are in the process of re-entering the community, and like on part of this day, it’s all about creating a human connection between the incarcerated men and a handful of floppy eared Nubian goats.

The Hustler Files Ep. 61 - From Decarceration to Kids with Floppy Ears

No one could ever accuse Liz Buxton, Director of Operations at the Western MA Food Processing Center, of having a small heart, especially when it comes to Fair Chance Hiring. Even her wife wrote about her on LinkedIn after this episode aired on @WHMP Radio.  ‘My wife constantly amazes me. She's an incredible human and inspirational leader. She leads with her heart. It's what makes her, and her impact, so special.’  And her impact is special.  Just ask her Floor Supervisor, Scott Savoie, who served five years behind the wall before finding work at the Food Processing Center.  As he puts it, he wasn’t sure that he’d ever find a job once he returned to the community.  In his former life he was a mechanic, but years of bending over an engine had taken its toll.  With Liz and the Food Processing Center, Scott is able to take his mechanical skills and transfer them to the upkeep of the processing equipment.  He’ll be the first one to tell you that having the opportunity to start a new career and work with Liz has been two of his greatest blessings.

The Hustler Files Ep. 62 - Compassion is the #1 Ingredient for a 2nd Chance

Podcasts from all of the local show on WHMP Radio in Northampton, MA. including Talk the Talk with Bill Newman and Buz Eisenberg, The Hustler Files, The Western Mass Business Show, and Panorama.

New tracks tagged #Formerly