From Bars to Business: There, but for the grace of God, go I

Have you ever struggled to get a job? Constantly checked your email for a response to your application? Felt that nervous anticipation before walking in the door to your first interview?

We’ve all been there.

But what if you had something else looming over you that would make it even more difficult to get through the door – a criminal background.

Theresa Kohler, a business consultant with CareerLink, helps individuals in the criminal justice system to find work and overcoming their background barriers.

Through episode one of the Covation Center’s From Bars to Business podcast, Dr. Steve Brady talks with Kohler about CareerLink’s efforts to work with employers and encourage them to consider hiring employees with criminal backgrounds.

Faced with record-high unemployment in 2020 and 2021, many employers are more reticent to higher these individuals. Kohler discusses resources that may be available to businesses to incentivize them to re-evaluate their hiring practices.

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.