ODA Blog

Whatever your stand on Black Lives Matter, this much is certain . . .

Black Drugs Matter.
   

Finding a good job can be tough under the best of circumstances.  When you have a criminal record, it can be virtually impossible.  For a nation drowning in a sea of red ink, the time has come for employers to look beyond one answer box in the hiring process.  Employers willing to hire ex-offenders hold the key to reducing America's exorbitant criminal justice costs, shrinking public assistance budgets, and most importantly, restoring families and communities across the nation.

We have strong Baltimore roots so please indulge this prideful moment as we point out that the Baltimore Orioles are in first place in the American League East on August 4th.  There are still 57 games to go but it's never too early to gloat, especially when you were picked to finish dead last by Sports Illustrated.  What began as the Baltimore turnaround on July 29, 2026 when Buck Showalter became the O's manager has turned into the summer of great expectations in 2016.  Buck will be the first to tell you that better talent on the roster has been critical to the team's success.  But, if you listen closely, you will also hear Buck say time and again that the real secret to the team's success is finding players and coaches who have the "want to."  The "want to" that fuels hard work and sacrifice.  The "want to" that helps you grind out wins in the face of great odds.  When Open Door America enlists new clients, we're looking for the same thing:  the "want to" that drives a young parent to do everything possible to lift his or her family out of poverty.  The "want to" that helps them persevere with the demands placed on them by our employers, case managers, and mentors.  It's all about the "want to."