Small biz owners: Check out this how-to on hiring returning citizens

Returning citizens needs jobs. But sometimes, the barrier to getting one isn’t the job seeker’s lack of desire or ability, or even the criminal record itself, but employers’ lack of understanding of what it would take to hire someone with a record.

The Reentry Project reporting collaborative is ending in a few weeks, but in that time, it’s hosting two big events: a series of high-level lighting talks at the Franklin Institute on Nov. 15, and a panel discussion on hiring returning citizens for business leaders and HR professionals this Thursday morning.

The latter event will feature a handful of reps from local companies that have hired from this “untapped pool” discussing the challenges and benefits.

There will also be a Q&A so those interested in doing the same can ask about legal risk, background checks, tax incentives and the like.

• What — “Reentry: Hiring from an untapped pool” panel discussion
• Who — Panelists are Donna Allie, president and CEO of Team Clean; Jeff Brown, chief executive of Brown’s Super Stores Inc.; Bob Logue, president of Quaker City Coffee; and Beth Tiewater, director of development and programs of Baker Industries
• When — Thursday, Nov. 2, from 8 to 10 a.m.
• Where — Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, 200 S. Broad St.
• How much — Free

P.S. The Reentry Project’s partners want some feedback on our work over the past year. Take our quick impact survey to let us know what you think.