Virtual event to give second chance to those looking for work

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Jubilee Jobs of Lexington is once again hosting a fundraising event, to help give those looking for employment a second chance. This year, the event will take place virtually.

Honorary Campaign Chairman Derrick Ramsey says Jubilee Jobs has been around for more than a decade and is a non-profit job placement organization that specializes in finding entry-level jobs for the unemployed and underemployed.

“They’ve been able to help over 2,000 clients get back into the workplace. 57% of those are men, 43% of those are women, 79% are parents and 85% of those are incarcerated,” said Ramsey.

Ramsey said the fundraiser is even more important this year with the pandemic and people who are already without a job, “There’s so much we have to do to prepare a person to get ready for an interview, to prepare them to get ready for a job.”

A former Oakland Raider, he said giving second chances is personal to him. After having visited several prisons and meeting the inmates, Ramsey explained, “I was under the impression it was going to be all these really mean, tough guys, just the worst of the worst. And what I found is this. These are really intelligent men in some cases, and the thing that separated them from a jail cell and corner suite in a large corporation was a lack of support, the lack of a mentor.”

Ramsey calls this a holistic approach that impacts everyone, “The family gets better, the community gets better.”

This year, the fundraiser will take place online on Friday, Nov. 20. Ramsey said they have a goal of $175,000. For more information or to donate, click HERE.