It begins with a second chance
Open a door —
Hire a TEEM participant.
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77 million Americans have a criminal background. That's 1 in 3 adults in our country. Oklahoma, specifically, has consistently been amongst the highest incarceration rates by state for decades.
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85% of human resources leaders and 81% of business leaders say that second chance hires perform the same or better than other employees
Data from Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)
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66 percent of employees would be proud to work for an organization that offered training, guidance or mentorship opportunities to people with criminal records leading to more loyal employees.
SHRM and Second Chance Business Coalition
Practical benefits to be a second chance employer with TEEM
You will gain skilled, tenacious, loyal, and motivated employees to promote long-term growth at your company.
Most of our participants will qualify to give you a Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which will provide you with up to $2,400 incentive
Most of our participants will qualify to provide you with 5-25K fidelity bond for employees’ first 6 months through the Federal Bonding Program.
Transportation assistance is provided for participants to get to work (bus passes, and matching funds up to a certain amount) to bring consistent workers
Educational stipends (with limitations) are offered for participants to gain credentials needed to be successful at your company
Ongoing case management, support groups, and accountability to empower participants in all aspects of their personal life (substance use, mental health, housing stability, food resources, and overall advocacy)
You will make a positive impact on our society and economy
Ian’s experience with Community Sentencing
“Ian is a superstar” who was sentenced to this program. When you hire someone with Community Sentencing program, we are going to do everything we can to set them up for success with you as an employer. If you want to help make the community safe, see the need, consider being an employer partner with us. You will see the benefit of quality employees that have accountability and structure that produce “faithful” people that will add to your mission. In 2023, out of the 935 participants served in Community Sentencing, we had 78% successful completion rate with 7% recidivism.
Cody’s story from our Reentry Program
We’ve all made mistakes, and we all deserve a second chance. The biggest obstacle many of our participants face coming out of prison is employment despite the fact that 1 in 3 people in our community have a criminal background. Listen to someone who “could be a mentor” for other drivers. When you, as an employer, see our participants as the humans they are—more than the label of their background—you will be a major part of an individual’s growth and reap the rewards as a company. You will be a part of someone’s success story and give people hope to better their lives. In Cody’s words, “Who we are today, and who we were ten years ago are two different people”. Consider giving someone the chance to be more than their past.
Ian G’s experience with Pretrial Program
Meet someone who has “not disappointed at all” when working as a candy cook. When you hire someone in our pretrial program you’re getting someone who has a group of support around them. We do what we can to take the scary aspect out of hiring someone with diverse backgrounds. There is not a whole lot of self-improvement with people sitting in a cell waiting for trial. Employment is a huge protective factor for people, and when you believe in our people, we believe you will see long-term benefit. For context, out of the 1,236 people served in our pretrial program in 2023, 97% of our participants were able to avoid incarceration.
