‘Today's inmate is tomorrow’s neighbor’: Second Chance Expo assists recently incarcerated people with jobs, housing and more

Martin University hosted its annual reentry resource fair on Friday. The Second Chance Expo helps recently incarcerated people in Indianapolis find community support services.

Attendees could build connections with second chance employers including the Fathers and Families Center, RecycleForce, Trusted Mentors and Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana.

Sierra Vasquez, 29, came to the fair to learn about banking for her photography business. She said perseverance is the key to successfully reentering society.

“You got to really just keep pushing,” Vasquez said. “If you want it, you got to move around. You've got to put the footwork in to do it.”

Robert Webster is with Give Me Life, an organization that operates two transitional housing locations for recently incarcerated people. Events like this one, he said, help lower recidivism rates.

“We just wanna make sure, first and foremost, that we're providing a safe space for you,” he said. “Uplifting and encouraging whomever may come across our path.”

Resources offered at the event include transportation, counseling services and adult mentorship opportunities.

Keidrain Brewster, a prison reform advocate from Dallas and a speaker at the event, said a second chance was crucial to his reentry process after 13 years in prison.

“Today's inmate is tomorrow's neighbor, tomorrow's co-worker, tomorrow's employee,” he said. “Second chance is super important.”

But, recently incarcerated people must want change in order to successfully reenter society, Brewster said.

“I want you to know you have to kill the old you and create a new you,” he said. "If you continue to be the same person you was before you was incarcerated, that means you're going to get the same results.”

The fair also included another speaker, reentry advocate Tanaine Jenkins, and a panel of locals who shared their experiences with the justice system.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Abriana Herron at aherron@wfyi.org.