April is recognized nationally as Second Chance Month, with local organizations across the region marking the month through events and activities focused on expanding opportunity. Our team had the opportunity to attend and participate in two of these events in support of Second Chance Month and the jobseekers they serve.
Second Chance Career Fair – Hamilton County Office of Reentry
On April 14, 2026, the Hamilton County Office of Reentry hosted a Second Chance Career Fair at the Sharonville Convention Center. The event was co-sponsored by Local 12 WKRC-TV, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and Nehemiah Manufacturing, and brought together jobseekers impacted by the legal system with employers and support resources.
The fair featured a wide range of employers who are actively using second chance hiring to fill open positions. Many booths included information about current openings, and some employers provided QR codes that allowed attendees to apply directly. Several employers conducted on-the-spot interviews, giving jobseekers an immediate opportunity to connect and learn more about available roles.
“We were able to answer a lot of the questions, face-to-face, that don’t have necessarily come up when you’re looking at jobs on our website,” said one employer who participated in the event. “We hope being able to answer some basic questions about these jobs will get the people who are interested to go through our application process with more confidence and a better understanding of what we’re looking for in new-hires.”
Events like this play an important role in strengthening the local second chance hiring ecosystem. They create space for direct conversations between jobseekers and employers, helping remove some of the barriers that can come with the traditional application process.
Second Chance Employer Workshop
On April 22, the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio and OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County hosted an employer workshop focused on second chance hiring. The event highlighted perspectives from guest speakers including Daniel Love, Manager of the Workforce Innovation Center; Jennifer Nail, Cincinnati Region Reentry Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction; and Rayshun Holt, President of the Beacon of Hope Business Alliance.
The workshop connected businesses with organizations and service providers that support returning citizens throughout the Cincinnati region and explored the value of second chance hiring as a business strategy to help employers access new talent pipelines, fill open positions, and increase retention in their workforce.
Daniel Love shared how the Workforce Innovation Center (WIC) works to expand workforce opportunities across the region, strengthen coordination among workforce development organizations, and connect the workforce ecosystem with the local business community. He highlighted WIC’s collaborative efforts with partners who provide direct service to returning citizens including initiatives that promote fair chance hiring, support shared workforce solutions, and create stronger pathways to long-term career success.
Jennifer Nail discussed her work as a Reentry Coordinator with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), where she supports returning citizens as they rebuild their lives and reenter both the community and the workforce after incarceration. Jennifer described the reentry process by comparing the experience of returning citizens to a machine. In this analogy, many interconnected components such as housing, employment, transportation, and personal support systems act as gears which must all function well together to support an individual in finding success. Jennifer also highlighted ODRC’s range of support programs that help individuals access the resources and opportunities they need to succeed after incarceration.
Rayshun Holt concluded the event by highlighting how the Beacon of Hope Business Alliance brings employers together around a commitment to hiring and supporting returning citizens in the workplace. Beacon of Hope’s mission centers on expanding opportunities through the power of work and building a thriving Cincinnati region where businesses grow stronger, individuals overcome barriers from their past, and families flourish with dignity. Rayshun explained how the Alliance works directly with employers to promote the benefits of second chance hiring, strengthen connections between employers and reentry organizations, and build supportive networks that help returning citizens succeed in their careers.
Celebrating Reentry Month with events like the Second Chance Career Fair and Employer Workshop demonstrates the Cincinnati region’s strong commitment to supporting returning citizens, connecting employers to valuable talent pipelines, and building a stronger workforce community for all.
By: Daniel Love, Manager, Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber & Jackson Fort, Coordinator, Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber
