DeepSummary
This podcast episode features a conversation between Jennifer Sarrett and Charlize Baker, the founder of Second Chance Living PMI, an organization that helps women transitioning out of prison or jail in New Orleans by providing employment and housing services. Charlize shares her personal experience as a justice-involved woman and the challenges she faced, including the lack of resources and support for women compared to men.
The discussion highlights the complex needs of justice-involved women, such as childcare, healthcare, and financial obligations, which are often overlooked. Charlize emphasizes the importance of economic empowerment and providing tools and resources to aid successful reintegration into society. She also addresses the stigma and discrimination faced by people with conviction histories when seeking employment.
The conversation explores ways to motivate companies to hire and support individuals with conviction histories, emphasizing the benefits of diversity, loyalty, and social responsibility. Charlize shares success stories from Second Chance Living PMI and her vision for the organization's future in empowering and advocating for justice-involved women.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Justice-involved women face unique and complex challenges, including childcare responsibilities, healthcare needs, and financial obligations, which are often overlooked and exacerbated by the stigma surrounding individuals with conviction histories.
- Economic empowerment, through employment opportunities and resources, is crucial for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism rates among justice-involved individuals.
- Companies have a social responsibility to provide employment opportunities and support for individuals with conviction histories, recognizing the benefits of diversity, loyalty, and contributing to the reduction of crime and recidivism rates within communities.
- Authenticity and individuality should be embraced in the workplace, challenging the notion of restrictive professionalism that often forces individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to conform to specific cultural standards.
- Organizations like Second Chance Living PMI play a vital role in advocating for and empowering justice-involved women, providing resources, support, and a pathway to independence and reintegration into society.
- Addressing the lack of data and resources for justice-involved individuals, particularly at the local level, is essential for creating targeted and effective services and support systems.
- Political engagement and support for policies that promote economic empowerment, housing opportunities, and resources for underserved communities are crucial in addressing the root causes of recidivism and promoting successful reintegration.
- Sharing personal stories and experiences can help raise awareness, challenge stigma, and motivate communities and organizations to take action in supporting and empowering justice-involved individuals.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “You know, if you and I are in a race to this next milestone, which is probably a finish line, if you and I were in this race to this finish line and your route was clear, you had no clue criminal record, you had a two family household, you didn't have families that come from substance abuse issues. You were born with money. I mean, you have a straight route to the next milestone. But when you talk about justice involved individuals, these individuals oftentimes have bumps and barriers that they have to overcome to be able to get to that milestone. And eventually you, they may not even make it to that milestone because they're so worn out from jumping over these barriers and going different directions just to get to the same, to the same point of success, you know?“ by Charlize Baker
- “Employers hold a greater responsibility to provide economic empowerments to the community. Yes, companies have a choice to help reduce crime and resentivism rate, as well as bridge gaps within communities by fostering social responsibilities.“ by Charlize Baker
- “Be who you are, be exactly who you are and what you want to present to yourself to these companies. Because at the end of the day, it's a thin line between professionalism and conforming to someone else's culture or being so restrictive.“ by Charlize Baker
- “The vision is to provide all justice involved women with resources and support to become independent and viable citizens for their families and their communities. The future of second chance living PMI is to continue growing and expanding because everyone deserves a second chance.“ by Charlize Baker
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Episode Information
The Will To Change: Uncovering True Stories of Diversity & Inclusion
Jennifer Brown
8/5/22
2nd Chance Living PMI:
website: https://www.2ndchancelivingpmi.org/
email: info@2ndchancelivingpmi.org
phone: 1-855-487-0477
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndchancepmi
Instagram: @2ndchancepmi
Twitter: @2ndchancepmi