Success Stories
Meet Tara
Who has found her calling as a mental health counselor
A teen mother and high school dropout, Tara turned to crime and went to prison three times. Frustrated by the lack of services for ex-convicts, she became depressed and gave up looking for work. But when her prior criminal records were sealed, the world changed for Tara. She has gone from serious legal jeopardy to a successful career as a mental health counselor with the Lake County Health Department.
“With hiring an ex-felon come many beautiful things. The township gets people who work hard, who are grateful for being given a second chance.”
Meet Lisa
She regained employment and her confidence
All Lisa ever wanted to do was help people. But as a teen she made poor choices and followed the path of criminal activity. Her prior criminal records were a constant barrier to employment. Fortunately, volunteer lawyers at the Coalition Legal Help Desk helped Lisa get her past criminal records sealed, and today she works for a state agency as a public service representative.
“Please don’t judge a book by its cover. We all have a story to tell. We all deserve an opportunity. Change is possible!”
Meet Trish
An HR professional who believes in second chances
Trish Cook is the Human Resources Manager for Southwire, a family-owned wire and cable company with nearly 8,000 employees worldwide that manufactures cables and cords for electrical, residential, commercial and specialty use. Based in Waukegan, Illinois, Trish is responsible for hiring qualified job candidates, including those who may have past nonviolent criminal convictions.