PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of the first — and hardest — steps to getting your life back after incarceration is finding a job.
There’s a lot to adjust to, and employers can be hesitant, but Philadelphia-based Baker Industries and its partners say there are benefits to hiring returning citizens, which is why the nonprofit provides training and jobs for people facing barriers to employment due to previous incarceration, homelessness, or disabilities.
“You have a lot of court dates, and if you just get a job from somebody on the open market, often in that first six months, they're going to get annoyed with you because you're asking for a lot of time off to, like, go check in with your parole officer, and you might need them to fill out paperwork,” said nonprofit President Nicholas Watson.
Baker Industries has been in operation since 1980. They’ve helped many enter the workforce, including Nate Bunday, who was in prison for 29 years.
Bunday now works at one of the nonprofit’s employment partners, Felt + Fat, a handcrafted tableware company in the city. He says he had to start from scratch and received a lot of help after struggling to get on track.
“Once I started at Baker, it was different, because me just coming home, I had to learn everything, like, literally learn everything over. I didn't even know how to use the card for going to the store,” he said.
Felt + Fat founder Nathaniel Mell says he partners with Baker Industries because he believes everyone deserves a second chance.
“Over the years, they've been great partners and kind of, like, really find people that will be best for our pretty specific needs,” Mell said, “and it's been really wonderful working with them and getting to know the community.
For the full interview with Baker Industries and Bunday, check out this weekend’s Bridging Philly podcast below: