Pictured, left to right, are Case Worker Alycia Miles, Case Worker Megean Najarro, HCSO Re-Entry Program’s Social Counselor Laurie Gandre, Inmate Programs Project Manager Scott Michiels and Inmate Programs Operations Manager Wendy Harris.
This morning, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Program hosted a job and resource fair at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center for inmates who are nearing their release date. Several local businesses and social service organizations attended to provide employment opportunities and resources for inmates who will soon be transitioning back into society.
In preparation for the event, HCSO Re-Entry Program staff held classes to help inmates document their job skills, create personalized resumes and develop interviewing skills.
Altogether, 29 inmates participated in today’s fair, including 11 females. The goal of the event was to help inmates secure employment and the resources they need upon their scheduled release.
The HCSO would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for participating in our Re-Entry Job Fair:
• Tech Goes Home
• The Brave Effect
• HireQuest Direct
• The Transformation Project
• Mental Health Cooperative
• Veritas
• Family Justice Center
• Chattanooga Public Library
• Persevere
• Southern Spear
• Vocab Rehab
• Dallas Bay Church
• Valmont Industries
• CADAS
• AIM Center
• Friend’s House Ministries
• Volunteers in Medicine
• DHS Child Support Re-entry Unit
• Hamilton County Coalition
• Oxford House
• American Job Center
• TN Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program
• Resources for Human Development
• Express Employment Professionals
• Legal Aid of East TN
• Willowbend Farms
• Her Song
• First Things First
• Men of Valor
• CCCS of Chattanooga
• TCSEPP
• Novonix Group
• Cornerstone of Recovery
Officials said, "Events like today’s fair are important facets of our Re-Entry Program and demonstrate how corrections and re-entry personnel are leading the way in the field of corrections by working diligently to assist those being released with securing gainful employment, earn a livable wage to support themselves and their families, and the ability to live happier, more productive lives.
"Sheriff Austin Garrett and our Re-Entry Program staff would like to thank all the businesses and social service-based organizations who participated in today’s event."