Workforce Wednesday: WorkSource Spokane’s Fair Chance Networking, Hiring, & Resource Fair

WorkSource Spokane is excited to host the next Fair Chance Networking, Hiring, & Resource Fair on February 19th from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. This event is a great opportunity for justice-impacted individuals to connect with employers and essential resources.

Darin Christensen, Director of Workforce Development and Community Services at Pioneer Human Services, was featured on Fox 28’s Workforce Wednesday today. Darin spoke about the importance of the Fair Chance event and how it operates, sharing insights into how it helps justice-impacted individuals access the support they need to rebuild their careers and lives. Watch Darin’s segment on this week’s Fox 28’s Workforce Wednesday to learn more about this event has had on both the community and the individuals it serves.

Pioneer Humans Services has been a critical partner for our campus when working with the justice-impacted community. Their Roadmap to Success course is an incredible resource that our campus is proud to offer. Darin highlighted the success of the program, including an impressive 1% recidivism rate among participants in Pioneer’s programs at WorkSource Spokane, proving that with the right resources and support, individuals can break free from cycles of crime and poverty.

Building on the success of the inaugural event last November, we’re looking forward to the February 19^th event. The November event saw over 100 attendees, who connected with 16 employers and resource providers. The stories shared that day were truly inspiring, with employers meeting with dozens of candidates and finding excellent matches for open positions. A local healthcare provider also shared a heartwarming story of offering encouragement to an individual who feared her appearance would prevent her from finding work. The support she received was so powerful, it moved her to tears, and reaffirmed her commitment to pursue a career in healthcare.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and the powerful connections made during the first Fair Chance event,” said Sondra Barrington, Program Operator for Talent Solutions by WorkSource Spokane. “This pilot event went so well that we plan to host it regularly, alongside our other job fairs and hiring events.”

Reflecting on the November event, Jen Morris, Operations Director at WorkSource Spokane shared, “The turnout was incredible, and it highlighted both the impact of our efforts and the work still to be done. We’re excited to continue supporting our community and can’t wait for the upcoming event.”

As we prepare for the February 19th event, we’re excited to introduce new employers and resource providers who will be joining us to offer even more opportunities and support to justice-impacted individuals. The event will continue to focus on connecting job seekers with essential services such as job training, mental health support, housing assistance, and healthcare. These services are critical for helping individuals successfully reintegrate into the workforce, reduce strain on public services, and create a safer, more resilient Spokane.

WorkSource Spokane is committed to continuing the work of providing justice-impacted individuals with the tools, resources, and support they need to rebuild their lives. The upcoming February 19 event is a crucial part of this effort, and we look forward to creating even more success stories.

If you are an employer or resource provider interested in joining us for the next event, please reach out to Talent Solutions by WorkSource at talentsolutions@esd.wa.gov