GRANT WILL FUND INNOVATIVE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE, SUPPORT NEEDS OF RETURNING CITIZENS
CHICAGO – READI Chicago and JPMorgan Chase announce their commitment to the program’s participants through a new $2 million philanthropic investment from the global financial services organization. As a founding member of the Second Chance Business Coalition, JPMorgan Chase is demonstrating its efforts to open up access to opportunity and success for people who have experienced justice involvement, many of whom are also READI Chicago participants.
READI Chicago is an innovative response to gun violence in Chicago, connecting men at the highest risk of violence involvement with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), paid transitional jobs, and connection to supports to help them lead safer, more stable lives. JPMorgan Chase’s leadership in community investment, as well as in hiring those with lived experience, sets an example that will benefit READI participants on their journey to economic opportunity and self-sufficiency. Of the men READI serves, 96 percent have been arrested and 64 percent have been incarcerated.
In the first four years of READI Chicago, the initiative enrolled 662 participants, with 48 percent reaching 500 hours of work experience. Interim findings of a randomized control trial evaluation suggest a 40 percent reduction in shooting and homicide victimizations and arrests among program participants.
“We started over four years ago by just opening the door to men who have high barriers to opportunity, but together with JPMorgan Chase, we’ve been able to create a model program that engages and intentionally provides comprehensive supports to this population,” READI Chicago Senior Director Eddie Bocanegra said. “We know that progress isn’t linear, but we’re showing that you can release people—with supports—and they will do the hard work to stay safe and develop financial stability when they have real partners on their side. This is a large, valuable potential workforce that we need to continue to invest in.”
JPMorgan Chase launched a new Second Chance recruitment model in 2020. As a result, 2,100 people with criminal backgrounds were hired—approximately 10 percent of JPMorgan Chase’s new hires in the U.S. Many were involved in low-level crimes such as disorderly conduct, personal drug possession and DUI (driving under the influence), and are employed in jobs such as transaction processing, and lending and account servicing.
“At JPMorgan Chase, we believe that an economy that is fair and works for everyone, especially those who have been underserved for decades, is good for the communities we serve, our employees and business,” said Charlie Corrigan, head of Midwest Philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase. “More inclusive hiring for people with criminal backgrounds helps give people dignity in their community, a sense of pride in the workplace, and allows them to provide for their families. As a result, our economy and society are stronger.”
Even after a person has served their time, permanent punishments, or barriers that prevent future opportunities based on a criminal record, continue to negatively impact those who have been incarcerated. READI Chicago participants often face such barriers to achieving safer, more productive lives. They are often denied housing, employment, and services based on former criminal legal involvement.
READI recognizes these unique barriers people face upon re-entry and begins working with potential participants as early as possible to help them meet their needs—whether that means connection to housing, advocacy to parole agents, or delivering CBT in jails and prisons. Informed by lessons from READI Chicago from its first four years of working with returning citizens, and with the support of JPMC and its commitment to increasing access for returning citizens, READI will ensure that returning citizens have the supports needed to achieve better outcomes.
