How to partner with Hope 2 Hire

Maybe a story about prison education programs caught your eyes. Or you may have had a really positive experience hiring an employee who has a history with the criminal justice system. No matter what brought you here, that you’re here at all means you have the opportunity to partner with us to create a career pipeline for people who are released from Shelby County’s Division of Corrections. 

What does Hope 2 Hire do?

Hope 2 Hire is a partnership among like minded organizations in Memphis and Shelby County. Using each organization’s strength, we’ve developed a technical job skills education program, a mentorship network, internship opportunities and a support system for people as they prepare to leave SCDC.

How do businesses partner with Hope 2 Hire?

There is no “right” way to partner with Hope 2 Hire. We are always looking for new members of our community to support our programming, and there are a number of ways that you can do that. Here are some of the most common ways to get involved with Hope 2 Hire: 

  • Hire our students. Did you know that the U.S. Military found that enlistees with a criminal record were 33% more likely to be promoted to the role of sergeant? This example is a trend across a number of industries: people with justice backgrounds can be good, even great, employees. By hiring Hope 2 Hire students, you are providing a person an opportunity at a new, better life. You’re strengthening families and adding another local salary to our economy. And, you may find your next best employee in the process!
  • Become a mentor. As a business leader, you have knowledge and lessons to share with our students. Hope 2 Hire mentors provide the business support that you know like the back of your hand. But they also invest in students personally. If you’re the kind of person who seeks to connect with people, provide comfort in trying times or serve as a listening ear, then partnering with Hope 2 Hire as a mentor could be a great option for you.
  • Support Hope 2 Hire financially. While we wish it wasn’t this way, we know that some industries can’t hire people with felonies on their records. And we also know that mentorship isn’t a great fit for every person. If the nature of your business prevents you from hiring our students, and if mentorship isn’t feasible for you, we would love your financial support. Curriculum, teacher salaries and support services post-release all come with a cost, and we need help to continue meeting student needs. When your business connects with Hope 2 Hire by financially investing in our mission, you are contributing to our local economy. The daily cost of incarceration in the state of Tennessee is exorbitant – by keeping inmates out of prison and instead helping them find meaningful work you are potentially changing the financial landscape of entire neighborhoods.

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