Better Together announces 2025 Nationwide Day of Second Chances
Hiring events to offer opportunities for job seekers with barriers to employment
Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families thrive, is breaking down employment barriers by hosting a series of background-friendly job fairs as part of its Nationwide Day of Second Chances. In partnership with churches across the country — including Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Washington, D.C. — Better Together invites job seekers and hiring employers to participate in their local event.
Nationwide Day of Second Chances brings churches, volunteers, businesses and nonprofits together to host coordinated job fairs that promote the power of second chances for neighbors who face barriers to employment. These barriers can include past incarceration, homelessness, lack of transportation or child care, or gaps in employment.
“Our Nationwide Day of Second Chances aims to help job seekers overcome barriers by providing job coaching and resources to help them succeed in their search for employment,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “With a network of background-friendly employers and resources available, these events bring hope and opportunity to those working to achieve independence and financial stability.”
Job fairs will feature employers who see the value in second chances, and many are prepared to interview job seekers and make conditional job offers on the spot.
Nationwide Day of Second Chances will be hosted over a series of days at the following times and locations:
Florida
• Fort Myers – April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverside Church, 8660 Daniels Parkway
• Jacksonville – April 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northside Church of Christ, 4736 Ave. B
• Jacksonville – April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gardenview Baptist Church, 3139 Armsdale Road
• Largo – April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Living Hope Church, 11633 137th St.
• Miami – April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miami Vineyard Community Church, 12727 SW 122nd Ave.
• Ocala – April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Revealing Truth Ministries Outreach Christian Center, 7575 SW 62nd Court
• St. Petersburg – April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BridgePoint Church, 737 Third Ave. N
• St. Petersburg – April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northwest Church of Christ, 6355 38th Ave. N.
• Port St. Lucie – April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Port St. Lucie SDA Church, 320 SW Tulip Blvd.
Illinois
• Chicago – April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harris Temple Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God, 4138 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Ohio
• Ironton – April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ironton First Church of the Nazarene, 2318 S. Fourth St.
Washington, D.C.
• Washington, D.C. – April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Anacostia River Church at the DC Dream Center, 2826 Q St. SE.
Nationwide Day of Second Chances is part of the Better Together workforce outreach, which has helped nearly 40,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 24 states. At job fairs hosted by Better Together, two-thirds of attendees get a job interview, and 1 in 4 receive a job offer on the spot. Some 70% find work within six weeks.
The church-based job fairs not only connect job seekers with local employers who offer on-the-spot job opportunities but also provide resources to facilitate stronger connections and more hires. Free one-on-one job coaching sessions are available to job seekers to review resumes and interviewing skills, and additional services, such as free haircuts and clothing, vary by location.
Nearly all job seekers leave with hope in their hearts as the Better Together model encourages celebration of their wins. One way that’s done is through the opportunity bell, which rings whenever anyone gets a job offer or interview.
Job seekers and employers interested in participating in a Better Together job fair for Nationwide Day of Second Chances can visit BetterTogetherUS.org/NWDSC for more information on local events and the latest list of participating locations. Job seekers may also text “JOBS” to 844-987-3949 to register for an area job fair.
About Better Together
Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The workforce program was created to address the 76% of families who come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.