In June, American Family Insurance and Delta Air Lines announced their participation in Unlock Potential, a new hiring program. The program is designed to create career opportunities for young adults at the greatest risk of incarceration.
Having access to gainful employment is critical to staying out of jail and prison. These companies are helping to advance racial equity and disrupt the poverty-to-prison pipeline.
“At American Family Insurance, we’ve made it a priority to create real second chances for people who have been incarcerated. But we also need to be working to prevent individuals from ending up in prison in the first place. Unlock Potential will do precisely that,” said Nyra Jordan, social impact director at the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact. “By widening the positive life choices available to the young adults who are most at-risk, we can tackle crime, imprisonment, inequality and poverty.”
The announcement came right before Juneteenth, and will help the racially disproportionate impact of the US justice system.
“We know that having a diverse workforce builds a better and more innovative business,” said Keyra Lynn Johnson, Delta’s V.P. and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. “This partnership builds a bridge to individuals who often don’t have connection and opportunities to careers at Delta, while at the same time broadening our access to untapped talent.”
The program will try to help at risk youth who have an incarcerated parent, are at risk for sex or human trafficking, the juvenile justice system, or the foster care system.
Unlock Potential will launch a 12-month pilot program in the fall in which youth will be provided with career placements at American Family Insurance, Delta Air Lines, and other participating employers.
