UConn Health

October 7, 2022 | Lauren Woods - Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine

A Fair Chance: UConn Health Joins Jobs Campaign of CT NAACP to Improve Lives of Formerly Incarcerated

“I am so proud of UConn Health, CT NAACP and our state in working together through the One Million Jobs to lift up all of our citizens who may need a helping hand and a second chance,” says Dr. Bruce T. Liang, Interim CEO of UConn Health.

Lakeesha Brown, VP, of Human Resources at UConn Health (center) hosted a celebratory press conference about UConn Health's new pledge to the Hartford CT NAACP One Million Jobs Campaign. She was joined by fellow speakers Anne D’Alleva, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, UConn; Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, University Professor; and Scot X. Esdaile, CT NAACP President and members of his team including Maurice Williams, Marc Gully and Corrie Betts. UConn Labor Relations leader Karen Buffkin was also in attendance.

Seventy million Americans have a criminal record. That’s one in three American adults.

UConn Health is helping strengthen equity and the economic status of formerly incarcerated individuals by joining the CT NAACP One Million Jobs Campaign.  As part of this campaign, UConn Health is committing to work toward the goal of hiring individuals who have contact with the criminal justice system to fill 5% of entry-level job openings over the next three years.

“I am so proud of UConn Health, CT NAACP and our state in working together through the One Million Jobs to lift up all of our citizens who may need a helping hand and a second chance,” shared Dr. Bruce T. Liang, Interim CEO of UConn Health.

“It’s time for a fair chance. We are working with the CT NAACP to tear down barriers for these state residents so they can gain equitable access to employment, training, and other basic job skills right here at UConn Health,” says UConn’s University Professor Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, who has helped connect the CT NAACP with UConn Health to move this initiative forward.

Together the state’s only public academic medical center and the CT NAACP are building a greater pipeline and pathway for the formerly incarcerated or those with a prior criminal record to access job training to prepare them for employment opportunities at UConn Health. Additionally, hiring of the formerly incarcerated has the potential to provide an added benefit of $7.5 million in economic impact for the state.

“We are partnering with great work places such as UConn Health to work toward 10,000+ positions for formerly incarcerated individuals across the state of Connecticut over the next 3-5 years,” says Scot X. Esdaile, CT NAACP President. “The CT NAACP values our partnership with UConn Health and we look forward to working together to ensure the goal of the One Million Jobs Campaign for the formerly incarcerated in Connecticut.”

“Public service is at the heart of UConn Health’s mission,” shared UConn Health VP of Human Resources Lakeesha Brown. “We are here to serve all of Connecticut’s citizens in a meaningful way. Whether it’s for your health care needs or your employment needs – UConn is here for you. All Connecticut residents should have job opportunities.”

UConn Health will be facilitating the CT NAACP’s One Million Jobs Campaign by providing those with criminal records open job descriptions for entry-level positions, skills-coaching, help preparing for job interviews, on the job training, and internship opportunities. In addition, UConn Health is enhancing its HR staff training.