Chris Eaton is an employee of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma (RFBO) where he works as a facility services manager and has been employed for nearly a decade. With such a history of success in the workplace, it may be hard to believe that prior to his current role, Chris had experienced homelessness and encountered the criminal justice system.
Much of this success can be attributed to OKC Metro Alliance’s Firstep program, which provides an alternative to incarceration for adults charged with substance abuse offenses, allowing them to complete a long-term residential sober living program instead of serving jail time.
“I ended up going through some homelessness and found myself in a county jail cell,” Eaton said. “Once I joined Firstep, I found so much joy in going through the program. After I graduated, [RFBO] hired me on. I’ve been here for 9 years now… and it has helped me be successful in my marriage, my family and finding a home.”
Workplaces like RFBO have found success through fair chance hiring employees who have gone through programs like Firstep and Public Inebriate Alternative. These initiatives help formerly incarcerated individuals reenter the workforce without facing barriers due to their criminal records.
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