Better Together launches 2026 Nationwide Days of Second Chances

Better Together is breaking down employment barriers nationwide this April with its annual Nationwide Days of Second Chances, a series of second-chance job fairs designed to connect job seekers with employers who see their value. In partnership with 18 churches across the country — including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Ohio and Washington, D.C. — Better Together invites job seekers and hiring employers to participate in their local event. 

Held during Second Chance Month, Nationwide Days of Second Chances mobilizes churches, volunteers, businesses and nonprofits across the country around a shared mission to expand opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment. These barriers may include incarceration, homelessness, lack of reliable transportation or child care, or gaps on a resume due to unemployment.

“Nationwide Days of Second Chances celebrates the life-changing power of second chances, giving job seekers the confidence and support they need to reenter the workforce,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “Our job fairs focus not on a person’s past but on each person’s strengths and potential. With churches across the country standing alongside us, we are bringing hope and opportunity – and transforming lives in the process.”

Nationwide Days of Second Chances will be hosted over a series of days at the following times and locations:

Florida

• Fort Pierce, FL – April 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 800 Avenue C
• Jacksonville, FL – April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northbound Church, 8808 Lem Turner Road
• Largo, FL – April 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Living Hope Church, 11633 137^th St.
• Jacksonville, FL – April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Orange Park, 1140 Kingsley Ave.
• Coral Springs, FL – April 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Springs Church, 11464 W. Sample Road
• Tampa, FL – April 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crossover Church, 1235 E. Fowler Ave.
• Lakeland, FL – April 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Lakeland, 72 Lake Morton Drive
• Miami, FL – April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miami Vineyard Community Church, 12727 S.W. 122nd Ave.
• Ocala, FL – April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Revealing Truth Ministries Outreach Christian Center, 7575 S.W. 62^nd Court
• Punta Gorda, FL – April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Baptist Church, 605 Mary St.
• Port St. Lucie, FL – April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Port St. Lucie SDA Church, 320 S.W. Tulip Blvd.
• Jacksonville, FL – April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gardenview Baptist Church, 3139 Armsdale Road
• Tampa, FL – April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bible-Based Fellowship Church Tampa Bay, 4811 Ehrlich Road

Illinois

• Chicago, IL – April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CDT) at Harris Temple Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God, 4138 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Indiana

• Noblesville, IN – April 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Genesis Church, 1702 Pleasant St.

Montana

• Hardin, MT – April 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (MST) at Hardin New Life Church, 1030 North Cody Ave.

Ohio

• Ironton, OH – April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ironton First Church of the Nazarene, 2318 S. Fourth St.

Washington, D.C.

• Washington, D.C. – April 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Anacostia River Church at the DC Dream Center, 2826 Q St. S.E.

To date, Better Together has helped more than 48,000 applicants connect with employment opportunities across 24 states. With a spirit of hope and celebration, its church-based job fairs empower job seekers by connecting them with local employers who are ready to hire, while offering supportive services that foster meaningful connections and increase opportunities for lasting employment.

Job seekers have access to free one-on-one job coaching sessions to review resumes and interviewing skills, with additional services such as free haircuts and clothing also encouraged. Nearly all job seekers leave with hope in their hearts as Better Together’s model encourages celebration of their wins. One way that’s done is through the opportunity bell, which rings whenever anyone gets a job offer or interview.

Job seekers and employers interested in participating in a Better Together job fair can visit BetterTogetherUS.org/NWDSC for more information on local events and the latest list of participating locations. Job seekers may also text “JOBS” to 844-987-3949 to register for an area job fair.

Churches interested in hosting a Better Together job fair for next year’s Nationwide Days of Second Chances can visit BetterTogetherUS.org/Partner/Church. By opening their doors, participating churches have the opportunity to put their faith into action, strengthen their community and connect neighbors with employers committed to offering meaningful employment.

ABOUT BETTER TOGETHER

Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program was created to address the 76% of families that come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.