OAR Asks Local Businesses to Pledge Support of Fair Chances
OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church, VA is asking local businesses to consider signing the “Fair Chance Business Pledge” as a way to demonstrate commitment to offering second and fair chances to individuals with criminal charges. When almost 70 million Americans – nearly one in three adults – have a criminal record of some kind, it is important to remove unnecessary barriers that may prevent these individuals from gaining access to employment, training, education, and other basic tools required for success in life.
OAR’s “Fair Chance Business Pledge” states: “We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including individuals formerly incarcerated, a fair chance to participate in the American economy.” By taking OAR’s pledge, businesses are joining a community of local partners that believe in giving second chances. Several businesses in the D.C. Metro area have already signed the “Fair Chance Business Pledge,” and OAR is seeking other local businesses willing to make a commitment to giving second chances and fair chances of employment to individuals formerly incarcerated. The idea behind the “Fair Chance Business Pledge” came from the national pledge, which is now inactive, but had over 100 businesses sign onto the pledge, including Best Buy, CVS, Facebook, Target, Uber, and many others. Please note that signing this pledge does not guarantee employment for any individual. It represents that these businesses support second chances.
The businesses who have already signed the OAR pledge include: Beach Geeks, Inc., Canoe Media Services, City of Alexandria, CruisePlanners, Eagle Hill Consulting, Kingsbury Chocolates & Confections, Rachel E.H. Photography, VanderPoel Architecture, Volunteers of America Chesapeake, and Wendroff & Associates.
If you are a business/part of an organization that is interested in signing OAR’s pledge, click here.