Being a justice-impacted individual can come up with a lot of barriers such as stigma from the community, uncertainty, and stability of living. A lot of what we see here at PA CareerLink® is also the barrier of being able to show off skillsets to obtain a job. A big part of this is the stigma that is built around being justice-impacted and making the job market 50% more difficult than what it already is. This barrier creates a vicious cycle of not providing resources for justice-impacted individuals, leaning into homelessness, and even causing those who want to get out of the system having a hard time doing so.
In response to this noticeable cycle that has occurred in our local systems, PA CareerLink® Lancaster County team members, Elena Taylor and Jennifer Griffith, stepped up to create a support group that allows these individuals to attend for free and get resources, tips, and a network of like-minded individuals to help them overcome the barrier of the job market and stay on the right path. RSG (Re-Entry Support Group) was built to help justice-impacted individuals not only feel like they have a space to go and get support, but also to allow them to network with others and professionals in the field that’s sole missions are to assist individuals within this system.
Within this support group, individuals not only share their experiences and get to hear from professionals; they also go through various books built to provide support to those who are justice-impacted. One of the main books built into the curriculum is The Cheat Code written by Jonas Royster and Armand King (both renowned authors and individuals who have been justice-impacted). Within this book, Jonas and Armand walk through insightful tips on how to change one’s mindset and utilize resources to better oneself, share insight on their personal experiences, and even provide thought provoking ideas on things to be aware of to stay out of the system. In The Cheat Code, Jonas and Armand talk about how pivotal it is for justice-impacted individuals to obtain a job.
“Having a job during your probation period is about more than just earning money. It’s about staying focused, avoiding negative influences, and laying the groundwork for a better future. Every step you take now toward being responsible and committed contributes to your success. Additionally, having a job can help keep your probation officer off your back. Remember to maintain a good relationship with your boss or manager. A reference letter from them could be invaluable both during your probation and when it’s time to seek another job.”
Hearing this advice from someone who went through a similar experience and hearing how important a job is not only resonates with the individuals who attend this support group but also provides data to us on WHY this support group is needed. It is just as important to have individuals come in and speak to this group that have experience and resources to provide such as Jonas and Armand.
Partnerships and collaboration are what builds community, and we are grateful for all the partners that have collaborated with us in a way to make sure our services are up to par for what the community needs. Providing this space to hear from mentors, community partners, and peers is life changing to many. We must remember that anyone can be justice-impacted; not just those who you think are. There are people in our community who are dealing with these barriers as they try to get out of the system. That is why we have invited Jonas and Armand back to PA CareerLink® Lancaster County on May 5, 2026, to spend a day speaking with our clients and community. During this day, they will be giving various presentations to businesses, adults, and even youth on their experiences and providing resources to get back on track to a successful job search.
If you or someone you know may benefit from these sessions, check out our website to register and meet some of our strongest partners when it comes to assisting justice-impacted individuals. You can register at https://www.jobs4lancaster.com or email us at info@jobs4lancaster.com