One of the major difficulties any recently-released prisoner faces is finding employment. Many employers are hesitant to hire an ex-offender, for fear that he or she might be unreliable or, worse, that they might be held liable for future offenses committed by the new employee during work hours.
For the former inmate, however, finding a job is key to reintegrating back into society. Without employment, the chance of recidivism increases exponentially. Ex-prisoners need the work experience to put on their resumés and prove that they can be reliable workers.
A church in Oakland, California, is attempting to fill this need. In 2009, Acts Full Gospel Church opened Soul’s Restaurant – an establishment committed to giving recently-released inmates a chance to establish a post-release work history and references. And, in the process, these men and women are offered food for their souls – a very tangible example of God’s love and redemption.
“These programs are designed to bring [ex-prisoners] back – to let them know that they are children of God, that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that they have a place in this society,” says Mark Claybrooks, associate pastor at the church. “Now, we can get them to the point here at Soul’s Restaurant, get them a history. Then, we can push them back out into the mainstream as a ready product, ready to work.”
The story and video are available here.