Saint Louis University and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis are partnering on a project to help address unemployment for those with a criminal record: the Partnership for Success Career Fair, which will be held at Chaifetz Arena on April 10.
The event, the first of its kind in over a decade for the St. Louis area, will attempt to bring together ex-offenders with employment opportunities with the hopes of reducing recidivism.
“Data show that employment can make a difference in reducing crime rates,” Saint Louis University (SLU) said in a press release. “The vast majority of ex-offenders whose parole was revoked were unemployed at the time of their violation, and an unemployed ex-offender is significantly more likely to return to prison than an ex-offender who has a job.”
SLU and the Urban League are receiving support from local government agencies in organizing the event. The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) is participating, as well as the U.S. Probation and Parole Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Missouri Department of Corrections.
According to the event’s organizers, they expect to draw dozens of employers from a variety of industries who are looking to hire. The organizers are promoting the benefits of hiring ex-offenders, including tax credits and federally funded health insurance, to encourage participation.
In addition to this program with ex-offenders, SLU also provides services for those currently in prison. Since 2008, SLU faculty and students have taught classes at a state facility in Bonne Terre and a federal correctional institution in Greenville, Illinois for inmates and staff members, helping more than 4,500 people work towards degrees.
Christopher Collins, the assistant to the president for mission and identity at SLU and a Jesuit priest, said these programs are part of the university’s Catholic-inspired mission.
“It is a privilege for us not only to host this career fair but also to continue through several of our initiatives to prepare people who have been incarcerated to gain the healing, resiliency and skills they need to flourish to live the lives for which we believe God has created them,” Collins said.
Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said his organization was excited about the opportunities provided through participation in the job fair.
“Through the Urban League Save Our Sons program, we have worked diligently to provide comprehensive services to this population as well,” McMillan said. “We hope to make significant progress through this career fair.”
The job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10. Participants are required to come with resumes and proof of completion of job training. Employers can reserve a booth at the event by calling 636-489-5400.
