Peconic River Community Development Alliance is planning a job fair aimed at helping people who’ve been convicted of crimes.
The idea came to the organization’s newly hired outreach coordinator after a long day of knocking on doors and talking to people in Riverside and downtown Riverhead.
Tijuana Fulford has begun a campaign to meet residents and get their feedback through a community survey.
“At least 60 people in one say said they’d love to come to an event but either can’t afford it or they feel ostracized,” Fulford said.
When she explored why they felt ostracized, she was surprised to learn a great many of them had served time in jail and felt very isolated when they re-entered the community.
“It was startling,” Fulford said.
“In jail, there are counselors to help prepare them for release. But once they’re released, many feel very alone. They can’t get a job, especially if they have a felony on their record. Nobody wants to be bothered with them,” she said.
“It’s my firm belief that who you were is not who you are,” Fulford said. “You’re not limited by your past.”
“The first question on a job application asks if you have ever been convicted of any crime. Without a job, they can’t get housing, they have to seek public assistance,” Fulford said.
“Helping people with money is a Band-aid,” Fulford said. “I don’t want to put a Band-aid on them. I want to take the Band-aid off and address the root of the problem.”
There are companies that will hire people with criminal records and offer good-paying jobs, she said. Fulford has a list of about 90 in Suffolk, many of them local.
“I made a lot of calls. There is help out there. They’re either not looking hard enough or they’re not aware,” she said.
Fulford is organizing a “re-entry job fair” to bring those companies together in one place to meet prospective employees. The fair is tentatively set for Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Crohan Community Center in Flanders.
Meanwhile, the Alliance is holding a “meet and greet” this evening at the Riverside Rediscovered office at 108 Peconic Avenue, from 7 till 9 p.m.
“I’m trying to meet as many residents as I can, to listen to their concerns and find out what we can do to help,” Fulford said.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
