Second Chance Job Fair Connects Formerly Incarcerated with Employers

Event in Charlottesville aims to provide employment opportunities for those seeking a fresh start.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of neon-colored job fair items like name badges and employment applications, conceptually representing the opportunities and empowerment of a second chance job fair.A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration captures the energy and optimism of a job fair providing second chances for the formerly incarcerated.Charlottesville Today

Formerly incarcerated individuals attended a job fair in Charlottesville, Virginia, organized by Virginia Career Works, Offender Aid and Restoration, and the city's Office of Economic Development. The event connected them with around a dozen employers across various industries, offering second chance opportunities.

Why it matters

The job fair highlights Charlottesville's commitment to providing employment opportunities for those with criminal records, recognizing the importance of second chances and helping formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into the workforce and community.

The details

The second chance job fair took place at Charlottesville's City Space on April 15, 2026. Organizers said the event was aimed at connecting formerly incarcerated people with employers who are willing to give them a fresh start. Attendees had the chance to speak with around a dozen companies that were recruiting for positions across different sectors.

  • The job fair was held on April 15, 2026 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The players

Virginia Career Works

An organization that co-hosted the second chance job fair to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities.

Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR)

A non-profit that co-organized the job fair and provides re-entry services to help formerly incarcerated people successfully reintegrate into the community.

Charlottesville Office of Economic Development

The city department that co-hosted the job fair as part of Charlottesville's efforts to support second chance employment.

Gary Spry

The re-entry program manager with OAR who spoke about Charlottesville's commitment to providing employment opportunities for those seeking a second chance.

Chacha Mahriri

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator with the Charlottesville Housing Redevelopment Authority who emphasized that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves.

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What they’re saying

“Charlottesville is a city of second chances and there are employment opportunities out there, but sometimes you may need a little more coaching and a little more guidance to get to the right employment for you.”

— Gary Spry, Re-entry Program Manager, Offender Aid and Restoration

“Everyone deserves a chance. If you made a mistake when you were sixteen, now you're an adult. It doesn't mean that you're the same person, you have changed, so being given an opportunity to prove yourself now because of what you made, what you did 16 years ago is important.”

— Chacha Mahriri, Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator, Charlottesville Housing Redevelopment Authority

What’s next

Organizers plan to continue hosting the second chance job fair annually to provide ongoing employment support for formerly incarcerated individuals in the Charlottesville community.

The takeaway

The second chance job fair demonstrates Charlottesville's commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration, recognizing that everyone deserves an opportunity to prove themselves and build a better future, even after making past mistakes.