JPMorganChase announced its commitment of more than $900,000 to nonprofit organizations in Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia to help build employment pathways for individuals with criminal records.
Across the country, one in three working-age adults has a criminal record, creating significant barriers to employment and economic opportunity. This gap costs the U.S. economy nearly $87 billion annually, as qualified individuals remain sidelined from the workforce.
Recognizing the importance of lowering these barriers, JPMorganChase is dedicated to supporting programs that assist individuals with arrest or conviction histories. In 2018, the firm “banned the box,” removing the requirement to disclose criminal records on job applications and has since hired over 21,000 individuals with criminal records, ensuring their history does not impact job eligibility.
The following commitments are part of JPMorganChase’s efforts to empower organizations that support justice-impacted individuals:
Volunteer UP Legal Clinic, Camden, $100,000 to expand expungement clinic services, enhancing the ability to assist individuals in clearing New Jersey records and improving their employability in the labor market. This grant will enable Volunteer Up to serve more clients and broaden its scope of services, including increased community education and outreach, as well as support for volunteer attorneys.
Philadelphia Works, Philadelphia, PA – $475,000 to coordinate the launch of a fair chance hiring collaborative, designed to aid and support employers’ efforts to broaden and strengthen their workforce. The collaborative effort, comprised of partners Envoy Consulting, the National Reentry Workforce Collaborative, and the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, offers technical assistance and resources to help employers minimize internal barriers to attracting and hiring qualified candidates with a criminal record.
University City District, Philadelphia, PA – $339,000 to enhance The Skills Initiative’s capacity to meet the unique workforce training needs of justice-involved individuals. This funding aims to improve support systems and staff training and connect unemployed Philadelphians with job opportunities that meet local employers’ needs.
“Volunteer UP Legal Clinic is proud to partner with JPMorganChase to expand our expungement clinic services. This collaboration will help more individuals clear their records and improve their chances in the job market,” Patricia Legge, executive director at Volunteer Up said. “Together, we are committed to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for justice-impacted individuals in New Jersey.”
“As a firm, we understand that providing pathways to employment for individuals with criminal records has remarkable business value and is crucial to fostering economic opportunity and community growth,” Jac Rivers, vice president, Global Philanthropy, Mid Atlantic, JPMorganChase said. “These commitments will empower employers and organizations in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey to support individuals in overcoming barriers to employment, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and thriving economy.
