Center for Justice & Economic Advancement (JFF)

It’s April, which means it is officially Fair Chance Month!   Through the work led by JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, we focus on solutions already in motion: the leaders, partnerships, and policies expanding economic opportunity for people with records of arrest, conviction, or incarceration.  Because fair chance work goes beyond awareness. It's about building ecosystems that work. Stay connected: https://lnkd.in/etX_v7JU   #FairChanceMonth #FairChance2Advance #NormalizingOpportunity

Tomorrow marks the start of Fair Chance Month, and you won’t want to miss what’s ahead. Throughout April, we’ll be sharing updates, actionable insights, and opportunities to advance fair chance policies and practices alongside communities across the country. Sign up for our mailing list to get the latest content, events, and ways to take action—delivered straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/etX_v7JU  Let’s make this month count! #FairChanceMonth #FairChance2Advance #NormalizingOpportunity 

After nearly two years of research, pre-production, filming, and editing, Higher Education in Prison Storytelling Initiative's two-part series Roadtrip Nation: The Inside Scholars, fueled by Ascendium, premieres April 1st! This incredible documentary features Nurudeen Alabi, one of our Fair Chance 2 Advance fellows. And, our team will watch the film in Cleveland on April 8th and Nurudeen will be there live. We hope to see you there. Here is a complete list of opportunities to watch the film on public television: https://lnkd.in/gEpsU-6s Check out the trailer now!

The 15th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP) will focus on the theme “Beyond Access.” This year’s conference challenges participants to think beyond expanding opportunities and focus on how higher education in prison can drive lasting impact. From coordinated systems and scalable practices to shared responsibility inside and outside the classroom, NCHEP 2026 is an opportunity to explore what it takes to turn access into meaningful outcomes. If you’re attending, be sure to connect with Jobs for the Future (JFF): • Stop by the JFF community table to learn more about our work advancing fair chance pathways • Join our two conference sessions featuring Jenna Dreier, PhD, Joel Negron, and Rebecca C. Villarreal • Don’t miss Jennifer Sanders on the main stage, where she’ll share insights on advancing systems-level change We hope to see you there. #NCHEP26 #FairChance2Advance

April is just around the corner, and at JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, that means one thing: Fair Chance Month. Every April, organizations across the country come together to raise awareness and take action to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to learn, work, and thrive. But it is about more than awareness. Fair Chance Month is about advancing policies, sharing solutions, and uplifting the work of communities creating real pathways to opportunity. Want to stay connected to what’s happening and how you can get involved? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on JFF’s Fair Chance Month events, insights, and opportunities to take action: https://lnkd.in/etX_v7JU  #FairChanceMonth #FairChance2Advance #NormalizingOpportunity 

Meet JFF’s 2026 Fair Chance to Advance National Fellows! We’re excited to introduce Jobs for the Future’s 2026 Fair Chance to Advance Fellows, a group of six emerging leaders who bring valuable insight, experience, and leadership to the field of fair chance hiring, education and training, and policy. Through this fellowship, they’ll help shape the strategy of JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, share their expertise with national partners, and connect with peers and changemakers at JFF’s annual Horizons Summit. Karlis Baisden Jessica Perry-Bruner Jarret Orcutt Jahaziel Sanchez Learn more about the fellows here: https://lnkd.in/gcNsvGpZ

🚨 Opportunity Alert! Are you or do you know a motivated, justice-driven student looking for a fantastic summer internship? Our friends at Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) are seeking students to join its Policy & Advocacy, Inclusive Hiring, and Communications teams for Summer 2026 internships. Apply by Tuesday, March 31. https://www.rbij.org/jobs

Last week, Jobs for the Future (JFF) brought together leaders from across the country in Atlanta for a dynamic, three-day convening to officially launch the Fair Chance to Advance (FC2A) State Action Networks. Leaders from #Kansas, #Maine, #NorthCarolina, and #Oregon showed up with determination and a shared commitment: expanding economic opportunity for individuals impacted by the justice system. Over the course of three days, these changemkers worked to: ✔️ Build stronger relationships across sectors ✔️ Analyze their state ecosystems and identify root causes of persistent barriers ✔️ Begin shaping a bold, shared vision for what fair chance opportunities could look like in their states four years from now We look forward to supporting these State Action Networks as they advance fair chance pathways in the months ahead. Want to get involved? Join the national network: https://lnkd.in/gP_qaMQr #FairChance2Advance #JFFImpact

📣 A huge milestone out of Connecticut: 150,000 people in CT now have a #cleanslate! Thanks to the implementation of its Clean Slate law, more state residents with records have access to economic advancement and #qualityjobs. 👏 👏 👏 More than 150,000 people in the state have been able to move forward in their lives and careers without the barriers of an old arrest or conviction record. We're excited to celebrate with our partners at The Clean Slate Initiative! In just three years, the Clean Slate law has improved the lives of individuals, families, and their communities by giving them a #fairchance. Read more about this incredible moment and future nationwide goals: https://lnkd.in/gMGKCNXd #FairChance2Advance #NormalizingOpportunity

🚨 Attention #NewYork residents: There’s an incredible opportunity right now to expand access to higher education for people who are incarcerated, but it won’t happen without your support! For the first time, funding for the SUNY Office of Higher Education in Prison has been included in the New York State Senate's budget proposal! This marks a major step forward in expanding opportunities and supporting long-term economic advancement for people with records across the state. We are joining advocates and urging New Yorkers to contact their State Senators and Assemblymembers and push to keep this funding in the final budget. At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we see every day how access to education connects to quality jobs, stronger families, and thriving communities. ❗ Take action today: ➡️ Find your State Senator: https://lnkd.in/dSYygVY ➡️ Find your State Assemblymember: https://lnkd.in/eEif7zy Use this template created by #SUNY to send your message: https://lnkd.in/eFHKP3xp #NormalizingOpportunity #FairChanceToAdvance