Bucks' 1st Reentry-Friendly Job Fair Part Of Coalition Initiative

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A criminal record can seem catastrophic where gainful employment is concerned — but new Bucks County initiatives are hoping to show community members that’s not the reality.

PA CareerLink is hosting Bucks County’s first reentry-friendly public career fair on Tuesday.

After a successful “Behind the Walls” job fair at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on July 22, Katey Marseglia — who works with Bucks County’s Human Services Hub, an initiative started in February as part of the county’s Reentry Coalition — said she’s excited to be involved in offering a public career fair for people with criminal records.

Marseglia, though not one of the event’s organizers, will be tabling Tuesday to provide resources of all kinds: aiding attendees in getting new copies of their licenses and social security cards, connecting them with support agencies, helping them to set up food stamps and health coverage, and more.

In addition to all the resources being offered, she says nearly every employer there wants to give prospective employees a “second chance.”

“Most, if not all, are friendly to people with criminal records,” Marseglia told Patch. “[It’s the] first job fair that offenders can go to without worrying that their criminal record would hinder them.”

Billie F. Barnes, executive director of Bucks County’s Workforce and Economic Development department, is excited to work on reentry opportunities in the county.

“While we encourage returning citizens to join us at all events, the anticipated 15 employers who will be in attendance are eager to hire job-ready reentrants looking to bring their skills and experience to what often becomes a life-changing opportunity,” he said.

Michael Harrison, Reentry Coalition chair and deputy chief of the Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Department, believes offerings like this one benefit both job seeker and employer.

“The reentrant population is a real untapped resource in terms of potential employees,” Harrison said. “There’s a lot of talent out there.”

The Multi Industry Job Fair will offer part-time, full-time, and permanent positions in manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare. Harrison is grateful to PA CareerLink for hosting the groundbreaking event.

“CareerLink and Workforce Development have been great partners in this,” he said, shouting out Brian Cummings and his team specifically. “[The Reentry Coalition is] over 50 agencies strong.”

Coalition members emphasized that people can take advantage of many different kinds of resources in the county — not only employment-based ones.

Marseglia recommended several organizations that can aid those with criminal records in the region. There’s First Step Staffing, an agency that can place people with employers in a matter of days; Lenape Valley Foundation’s forensic services team to respond to crisis and need from community members; and Voice & Vision, a program that helps pay for a course at a local college and offers mentorship services.

“If people need help with anything in the Human Services world, if they need help with navigating or finding resources, please reach out to the Hub,” Marseglia said.

PA CareerLink's fair will run from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesday at Bucks County Community College’s Lower Bucks Campus, at 1304 Veterans Hwy in Bristol.

To register or receive more information, interested parties can contact Tom DeYoung at tdeyoung@buckscareerlink.org or (215) 781-1073, ext. 2227.

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