Working Chance is a charity that helps women with criminal convictions find employment. Ex-convicts are some of the most overlooked and rejected members of society, and it is often nearly impossible for them to have a second chance at life. Working Chance was founded in 2009 by Jocelyn Hillman. She saw how stigmatized previously incarcerated women were and how they ran a high risk of re-offending due to their inability to adjust back into society. She had a passion to help these women because she saw the talents that they possessed, and she began to call businesses and attempt to persuade them to hire these women. Working Chance grew out of this passion, and it is now an award winning charity.
Working Chance partners with businesses across the globe to not only create careers for these women, but to also restore hope into their lives. Their mission is “to give women who’ve had very few breaks in life purpose, independence, and hope.” Having a job not only allows these women to have an income, but it also helps them re-enter into society as flourishing and contributing citizens.
Not only does this charity provide employment for their candidates, but they also provide rehabilitation. Working Chance recognizes that, more often than not, ex-convicts come from extremely abusive and difficult backgrounds, and they are working to bring healing. Also, they are working with politicians to influence the development of policies that affect women with convictions. Finally, they are trying to shift the attitudes of the public and the media and help them understand convicted women.
While this company is not inherently Christian, it is clearly redemptive. The workers are actively striving to give convicted women the chance to start over and turn their lives around. I truly believe that there is no nobler cause than one that forces you to look outside of yourself, and the opinions of others, and work to transform the life of someone who most likely could not transform it on their own.
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This is a great company and seems that it is helping to solve a difficult problem that many people face in society. Nice article!
-Asher
Assistance to convicts is SO important yet such an under-served mission field. It's wonderful to see these kind of groups and companies that are truly digging deep into these "ministry niches" and assisting those in need at the root.
The heart of this is truly redemptive. It is amazing how the essence of the gospel is seen in their entire process and ministry. I wish that the church would be more closely involved with ministries and visions such as this.