Finding a job is hard enough. Having a felony record can make it feel nearly impossible. A new event at Columbus Metropolitan Library is looking to change that.
On Friday, May 1, the Main Library downtown will host a free job fair designed specifically for individuals with felony backgrounds. The event, held in partnership with Right Turn Reentry, is focused on creating real opportunities for people who are often shut out of the traditional hiring process.
From noon to 4 p.m. at the Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave.), attendees can connect directly with employers who are actively hiring and open to second-chance applicants. But this isn’t just a typical job fair where you drop off a resume and hope for the best.
The event is built to be a full support system in one place.
Job seekers will be able to get help polishing resumes, practice interview skills, and learn about resources like record sealing and expungement. There will also be access to social services aimed at helping people navigate the broader challenges that can come with reentering the workforce.
For the library, the event is a natural extension of its mission.
“Libraries exist to open doors,” said Donna Zuiderweg, Chief of Service Design and Engagement at Columbus Metropolitan Library. “We’re not just connecting people to employment; we’re affirming that every person deserves a second chapter.”
That idea of a “second chapter” is central to the work of Right Turn Reentry, an organization founded by people who have lived through the reentry process themselves. Founder David Ector says the group is focused on turning lived experience into real pathways forward.
“Our organization is made up of formerly incarcerated people who have served nearly 100 combined years in prison,” Ector said. “We’re using our platforms and personal lived experiences to create pathways and remove barriers for those who deserve second chances.”
In a job market where background checks can be a major hurdle, events like this are about more than employment. They’re about access, dignity, and giving people a fair shot at building something new.
If you or someone you know could benefit, the doors are open. For more info, please click here.
