New Initiative in Texas to Help Veterans with Criminal Records Reenter the Workforce

A national nonprofit, with support made possible by Sam's Club, is helping Texas employers hire and support justice-impacted veterans.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national initiative to help employers expand career opportunities for overlooked talent is scaling its work in Texas, with a focus on the state's thousands of justice-impacted veterans. Led by the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) and with support made possible by a $1.5 million grant from Sam's Club, the effort will connect local businesses with resources, training, and action opportunities — empowering them to recruit and hire veterans seeking a second chance at meaningful employment.

"No one who served our country should be shut out of opportunity. RBIJ is eager to help Texas employers start connecting the state's justice-impacted veterans to the career opportunities they deserve," said Maha Jweied, CEO of RBIJ. "Hiring veterans is not only the right thing to do — it's smart business."

Texas has more incarcerated veterans than any other state, and many will eventually return to their communities and need stable employment. Yet outdated corporate hiring practices and restrictive workforce policies in Texas that block people with criminal records from accessing job opportunities often prevent these veterans from reentering the workforce and rebuilding their lives.

The impact of these structural barriers — compounded by obstacles like housing instability and service-related health challenges — extends far beyond individual veterans' livelihoods. The underemployment of Texans with criminal records — thousands of whom are veterans — fuels costly cycles of recidivism and represents a massive economic loss for the state, to the tune of $32 billion in lost wages.

"After more than 33 years in uniform, I know firsthand the leadership, talent, and dedication our veterans bring to the table. Those strengths don't just disappear when someone becomes involved in the justice system — but too often, opportunity does. We must ensure that all veterans have a fair shot to rejoin their communities and contribute their skills to the civilian workforce," said Brigadier General David "Mac" MacEwen, Director, Veterans Justice Commission, Council on Criminal Justice.

As a hub for hiring solutions and business action, RBIJ will deliver practical tools, technical assistance, and opportunities for Texas companies of all sizes looking to tap into the justice-impacted veteran talent pool. This includes an upcoming webinar, "From Service to Second Chances: The Role of Business in Veteran Reentry," on Nov. 18, featuring veteran leaders from the Council on Criminal Justice Veterans Justice Commission and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

To learn more about this initiative, visit rbij.org/unlock-talent

About the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice. The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) is an award-winning international nonprofit that empowers companies to champion policy reforms and hiring solutions that promote public safety, deliver justice, and strengthen communities.

SOURCE The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice