Ravenna job fair will help people who have been involved in the justice system

Individuals with prior involvement in the justice system are invited to attend Portage County’s first-ever Reentry Resource Fair, set for noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 18 at the Ohio Means Jobs offices at 253 S. Chestnut St. in Ravenna.

OMJ, a division of Job and Family Services of Portage County, means to address the specific needs of people with previous justice system involvement so they can reintegrate into their community and ultimately obtain employment. 

Through collaborative efforts with many community partners, the Reentry Resource Fair will help individuals connect with opportunities and services, including:

– Assistance in obtaining photo identification, social security cards and birth certificates

– Connections to legal-aid services for record sealing and expungements

– Obtaining Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQE)

– Transportation and BMV reinstatement fees

– Work readiness and training opportunities

– Employment

– Assistance with child support

– Financial literacy

– Monthly Citizen Circle meetings

– And more

Portage County JFS is partnering with the Summit County Reentry Coalition for this event. The Summit County Reentry Coalition is comprised of volunteers who work together so that adult, felony ex-offenders can overcome the many challenges to their success.

Their efforts aim to reduce the rate of recidivism, increase community safety and help reunite families while making the local economy stronger. The volunteers will be at the event, offering their services and connecting justice-involved individuals to resources.

The Portage County Job and Family Services’ Reentry Resource Fair is free and open to any individual who may benefit from these types of services. For more information, contact Bridget Stuntz, PCJFS case manager, at 330-297-3754 or [email protected].

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Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.