are there any agencies in Washington that help felons find work?

Question

my boyfriend has a felony that he got when he was in high school but was just days after 18 and it is huanting not only him but me too, we are about to have a baby and he cant find work anywhere, not one wants to hire him because of his felony (which is discrimination and against the law, but they will use any excuse they can when they see the felony box check yes on an app). Please let me know if you know anything that will help us!!
Thanks!

my boyfriend has a felony that he got when he was in high school but was just days after 18 and it is huanting not only him but me too, we are about to have a baby and he cant find work anywhere, not one wants to hire him because of his felony (which is discrimination and against the law, but they will use any excuse they can when they see the felony box check yes on an app). Please let me know if you know anything that will help us!!
Thanks!

P.S. he was still IN high school, he got a felony for malicous mischief, for damage to private property. he was guilty by association because he was with the people who did it. it happend over 2 years ago and is obviously much more mature than that now. he has been working here and there for different people where he can find the work (he is not a bum, nor is he a threat to anyone, although i'm not stupid, and i understand the consequences/concerns of his actions. i do think these things should be circumstantial...)

Answer 1

First off, I am not sure that it is illegal to discriminate against someone who has a felony....there are certain jobs that require a person to be of 'good moral character' and a felony would certainly preclude someone from working in one of those positions. Like it or not, that is life.
I say this not to be mean but to make sure that your boyfriend is not wasting time applying for those types of jobs!
For example, do you think that it is discrimination if your boyfriend applied for a job as a police officer and was turned down? If you say yes, would you also think that he would be the best candidate for the job? I think that we would both have to agree that the answer is a resounding NO!

UPS because of the Federal GOVERNMENT'S restrictions would not be able to hire him (even if they wanted to), to work for them due to the close relationship that they have with the airline industry.
Post office, same deal.
So applying for jobs such as these are a waste of everyone's time.

I am sure that he has paid his debt to society but the fact is that there are certain jobs that he will NEVER be able to work in so he might to better looking for jobs where public trust/safety is not an issue. Help him to find jobs were his history wont be as big of a threat to his employer.

I am not sure what kind of felony he committed but it might be good if he were able to have a copy of the court record to clip to his application.
I say this without knowing what kind of felony he committed but thinking that I would be more inclined to hire someone if the felony had more 'kiddy overtones to it' for example, if your boyfriend was charged with a felony DUI but then went onto explain that he has been sober for 6 years or whatever. THis is obviously less serious to me then a felony where he used a gun to rob someone.
YOu and he can make the decision if the felony was a 'serious' one or not
I dont know what kinds of jobs he is looking for
Maybe he can work for a small business. If he is a waiter (the can make very good money from tips) his past wont be a huge issue.
If he decides to return to school, maybe he could become a mechanic.
Maybe he could create his own business and become a professional landscaper or he could start a janitorial service.
Sit down with him and try to figure out where his interests are and try to steer him into a job in one of those professions.
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

What did your boyfriend do?
How much time has passed since he did this crime and now?
If it was non violent and a few years have passed, why dont you contact an attorney and see if he can have his record amended?
With that felony he might have to work for himself.
Ask his family for help.
Also maybe he can go back to school and get a certification to be a counselor.
He could get paid to go to schools and warn other kids of the dangers of doing what he did.
Since he is living it, it would probably have a greater impact on them.

Maybe they can float him a loan to buy a truck and some lawn equipment like the other person said.
maybe he could learn to fix houses or go to plumbing school.
If he is good at home repair, he can place his own ads in the paper and his record wont be an issue.

Answer 3

That is soo funny.
He breaks the law and now wants protection from it! If you and he feel so discriminated against, why dont you sue all the people who made up reasons not to hire him?
I will tell you why you wont, because deep down inside you know that there is not an attorney on this planet that would take that case.

I feel bad for your child! The way you write so pejoratively about this incident is sad. YOu describe it like he cut his finger (just something he got a few days after high school)
Actions have reactions.
Society's reaction is appropriate.
I wouldnt want him to work with me and I might even sue my employer if his 'little felony' reared its head during the course of my business day. (and there would be PLENTY of lawyers to take that case)
What employer wants to take that chance?
Mine is trying to run a respectable business.
Wouldn't look to nice if your boyfriends victims found out where he was working and decided to organize a boycott.
I dont feel sorry for him ONE BIT
I feel sorry for the victims of his crime including your child!
You should really consider moving on.
By staying with this man, you have subjected not only yourself but your child to a life of poverty and second class status!

Answer 4

is your boyfriend currently on probation or parole?
If either one of those, why not have him talk to his probation officer and see what kinds of connections he has?
In the meantime, your boyfriend could give blood to make a few extra dollars until he finds work. He could also go to one of those work today pay today sites or he could contact a temp service and explain his situation to them.

Answer 5

maybe he can take care of your child while you work