Mom in Texas is a Felon and Needs to find Employment

I saw your online blog and I enjoyed it. I'm currently on 3 years deferred adjudication for a felony drug charge. I'm in need of a local job in my area, but haven't really been able to find one who will hire me with a felony charge. I'm currently serving the 3 years right now and will have only 2 years left come November. I live in Alvin, TX 77511. I do not have a driver license and am kind of stuck. I have 3 small children and a husband who seems to have trouble with budgeting.

Please help if you can. I admit that I am desperate because I also have an open CPS case and they require that I get a job. I need the money to pay for daycare and groceries for my children. My husband is sick at the moment and has been unable to attend work all this week. We are behind in our rent and bills as well. A job will allow me to help pay and go grocery shopping. I understand budgeting money better than my husband, but a job will help me teach him in the process of taking care of the house, bills, and children.

Please help me to get a job. One that will hire a person on deferred adjudication for a felony drug charge. I'm definitely desperate right now.

Sincerely,

Safiyah

Mom in Texas is a Felon and Needs to find Employment

Hello Safiyah,

I'm sorry you're are having such a hard time finding work. The thing to understand about deferred adjudication is, that it will come up as a conviction until the terms of the deferment has been met (typically a fine and probation.)

Regular readers of my blog know the first suggestion I make to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to make a visit to their nearest One-stop Career center. There you will find counselors who offer career guidance. Often these counselors have experience working with people with criminal records. You can find out what career options are available to you based on your convictions. There are many other services there that can prepare you for a new career as well as listings of jobs in your immediate area.

You can find the One-stop Career Center nearest you at:

Workforce Solutions - Astrodome
Comprehensive Center

9315 Stella Link Road Houston, TX 77025-4012

Workforce Solutions - Texas City
Comprehensive Center

3549 Palmer Highway Texas City, TX 77590

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where Ex-offenders and Felons Can Find Jobs

Another resource in your area is Goodwill Houston. Goodwill has been helping ex-offenders and felons find jobs across the country for many years. You can find the Goodwill employment program in your area here:

Goodwill Houston Job Connection Services

I understand that these options may be a distance from you so they may not be that convenient. You may also consider temporary employment as a way to get a paycheck and possibly a permanent job. Independent agencies, in my opinion, offer the best opportunities for ex-offenders and felons to get hired. Often the larger corporate agencies have corporate policies that forbid the hiring of an ex-offender or felon. With smaller companies, you will more often than not interview with the owner or manager that has the power to hire anyone that person feels is best for an assignment.

Make a list of temporary agencies in your area from the telephone book. Visit them and apply just as you would any other job. Have your resume with you to leave along with your application.

My final suggestion is to apply to small locally owned companies for jobs. In most cases, small companies cannot afford to run expensive background checks so they may offer the best opportunity for you to get hired.

I hope this helps