Sign up to stay connected
Get the top stories of the day around the DMV.
Adrienne Pritchett smiled and briefly explained about possible employment, benefits and services during a job fair in Largo, Maryland, for returning citizens.
Pritchett, 47, an office manager for Lanham-based ComForCare, a home-care company that provides support for veterans and seniors, took pride in helping others. Herself a returning citizen who served 28 months in federal prison, she received assistance and job training at the same event three years ago.
“The people here are genuine — they do want to help you,” the Upper Marlboro resident said Friday at the Employ Prince George’s “2nd Chance” job fair, in which she participated on behalf of ComForCare. “I wouldn’t know where I would be without this program.”
The quasi-governmental agency dedicated the month of March to helping returning citizens back into the workforce.
Because the organization doesn’t have an extensive budget, partnerships are a main component to achieve success.
The county’s workforce development board, Maryland Legal Aid and Tree of Life Ministries in Clinton helped Employ Prince George’s conducted an expungement clinic March 16 for more than 100 residents.
The agency held its second annual networking breakfast Thursday and is scheduled to provide a free entrepreneur workshop Wednesday at its Largo office.
Throughout the rest of the year, returning citizens can visit the agency’s American Job Center in Largo, receive one-on-one assistance and occupational training to determine a person’s skill set for future employment.
Businesses can participate in the state’s federal bonding program (https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/wdfedbondingbrochure.pdf), which is similar to an insurance policy, to hire returning citizens.
Financial incentives for an employer can reach up to $5,000, said Pete Goodson, a re-entry coordinator for Employ Prince George’s.
“It’s all about getting people back to work,” he said.
At Friday’s job fair, 30 county agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations spoke to future job prospects that Pritchett called “a felon-friendly environment.”
Pierre McCown, a recruiter for Dave & Buster’s in Capitol Heights, said the company hired 150 returning citizens in the past three years in positions such as line cooks, dishwashers and maintenance personnel.
“It’s important to give back to the community,” he said. “Dave and Buster’s took a chance to come to the county. I would say it has worked out.”
Jonathan Braham of Chillum, who has a class A felony charge on his record, sought general labor work. He expected only a handful of businesses when he walked inside.
“Usually it’s one or two companies when I’ve gone [to job fairs]. This is the first time I’ve been to one with a bunch of companies,” he said. “It’s a breath of fresh air. I hope something comes out of it.”
Although the fair was created to help Prince George’s residents, job seekers from others jurisdiction weren’t turned away Friday.
Aaron Williams, 20, came from neighboring Anne Arundel County to find employment.
“I’m looking for a career job,” said Williams, who seeks work in the construction industry.
He attended a recent job event in Bowie and received information about an Employ Prince George’s initiative for those ages 14 to 24 called K.E.Y.S. (Knowledge Equals Youth Success).
It offers counseling, financial literary, resume writing and other programs for individuals who are homeless, pregnant, in foster care or ex-offenders. However, only Prince George’s residents can apply.
For other information on agency activities and employment resources, go to www.employpg.org.