A unique collaboration between the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, and Fifth Third Bank on March 26 brought financial empowerment and second-chance opportunities to Elizabethtown.
The inaugural Fair Chance Opportunity Fair served more than 220 Kentuckians eager to reenter the workforce and rebuild their lives.
Some highlights of the event included:
- The Foundation helped fund 60 expungements for individuals with justice involvement.
- Goodwill provided a range of support, from food and housing assistance to child care and employment support.
- Fifth Third Bank brought its Financial Empowerment Mobile to provide financial resources and assistance.
“This work is about more than financial services—it’s about restoring confidence, creating access, and connecting people to opportunity,” said Beth Davisson, Senior Vice President of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. “On any given day, there are more than 100,000 job openings across Kentucky. That’s why the Foundation and its Workforce Recovery Program is so critical. Our employers need talent, and the individuals in this room are ready to contribute. Fair chance employment is not just the right thing to do—it’s a smart workforce strategy.”
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Recovery Program has long advocated for fair chance employment, connecting Kentuckians in recovery or returning from incarceration with employers who recognize the value of second chances. This partnership with Goodwill and Fifth Third allowed that mission to reach deeper into the community.
During the event, which was hosted at the Goodwill Opportunity Center on Dixie Avenue in Elizabethtown, Goodwill offered support, training, and employment pathways for Kentuckians facing workforce barriers.
“Goodwill’s Opportunity Centers are designed to offer a hand up, not a handout,” said Amy Luttrell, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, and Kentucky Chamber Executive Committee member. “They connect people to meaningful training, job opportunities, and life-changing support. None of this is possible without strong partnerships and the resources that come from truly working together.”
The Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobile—commonly known as the eBus—provided several financial resources, such as opening bank accounts, accessing credit reports, receiving personalized financial counseling, and using SpringFour, a digital tool that connects individuals to more than 24,000 financial wellness resources.
“As a financial institution, we know our role in helping people rebuild,” said Kim Halbauer, regional president, Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky, and Kentucky Chamber Foundation board chair. “That’s why we’re proud to offer fair chance banking and excited to soon open a new branch in Hardin County. We’re here to support individuals with a full range of financial services designed to meet them where they are.”
For more information about the Foundation’s Workforce Recovery Program, visit www.kentuckycomeback.com.
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