Entrepreneurship has long been seen as a pathway to financial stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to create opportunities for oneself and the community. For returning citizens, individuals who have been justice-involved and are reentering society after incarceration, entrepreneurship can serve as a lifeline. It provides hope for reintegration into society and the autonomy for economic security. Returning citizens often face unique challenges such as stable housing, mental health support, education gaps, and securing gainful employment. Entrepreneurship offers a platform where these individuals can redefine themselves as innovators, leaders, and contributors to the economic ecosystem, rather than being defined by their pasts.
Research shows that formerly incarcerated individuals are more likely to become entrepreneurs compared to those without a criminal record. This is significant considering the challenges returning citizens face in finding traditional employment. The unemployment rate for the formerly incarcerated is 27.3%, significantly higher than the 5.8% rate in the general population. The traditional job market often presents barriers for returning citizens, such as stigma, lack of formal education, and the use of criminal background checks as a screening tool by employers.
Entrepreneurship offers a unique opportunity for returning citizens to leverage their existing skills and experiences to start a business without requiring formal schooling. Many entrepreneurial ventures rely on practical knowledge and resourcefulness, making them accessible to individuals with diverse backgrounds. Additionally, mentoring and support from programs like SCORE can increase the chances of success for justice-involved individuals pursuing entrepreneurship.
While entrepreneurship presents its own set of challenges, such as limited access to capital and business networks, it can be a powerful vehicle for economic empowerment and community reintegration. By launching businesses that cater to local needs and interests, returning citizens can stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities in their communities.
Municipalities can play a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurship among returning citizens by partnering with community-based organizations, higher education institutions, and other entities with existing entrepreneurship programs. Programs like Pivot in Washington, D.C., PERC in Chicago, and Santa Clara’s collaboration with private ventures are examples of successful partnerships that assist justice-impacted individuals in starting their businesses.
In conclusion, entrepreneurship can be a transformative force for returning citizens, providing them with the opportunity to pursue economic empowerment and make meaningful contributions to their communities. By supporting entrepreneurship among justice-involved individuals, city leaders can unlock the potential for economic growth and social change. Collaborative solutions that involve partnerships between government, private sector, academia, and community organizations can create a supportive ecosystem for returning citizens to thrive as entrepreneurs.
