Bail Bonding Agents Partner With Employment Referral Service
LaGrange, Indiana, September 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Tracey Hawk of Hawk Bail Bonds, and Bonnie Barrett of Bonnie & Clyde Bail Bonds, of LaGrange County, have joined together with their general agent, Lee Sexton of America Bonding Co, LLC to offer financial support to Linking Michiana. In return, Linking Michiana will work with their clients and help them find employment. Linking Michiana is not a staffing agency, but a referral service, and does not charge job seekers a percentage of their wages. Linking Michiana advocates for job seekers and helps connect them with employment opportunities that best fit their skill set and assist them with resumes, applications, and interviews.
Hawk states, “As bail bond agents, we’re conscious of the connection between unemployment and crime. A large number of defendants are unemployed, or lose their current job due to their recent criminal activity. Having a criminal record can make it difficult to find viable employment. Maria Miller, owner of Linking Michiana, already advocates for job seekers of all types of backgrounds. Working with her is a good fit for our clients and our goals in making a positive difference in our community.”
Many studies have recognized the effects of unemployment and crime rates. It may not come as a surprise that there is a correlation between the two; however, unemployment is a major contributor in theft, burglary and violent crimes that offer monetary incentives. Other influences of unemployment include:
- Social rejection
- Depreciating skills
- Psychological harm, including increased suicide rates
- Declining health and reduced life expectancy
- Deterioration of motivation
- Undermining of human relations and family life
- Disregard of social values and responsibility
Enlightened by their 30 years combined experience working with defendants, the three bonding agents have chosen to donate a portion of every bond written in LaGrange County to Linking Michiana and refer their unemployed clients for assistance in finding employment. It is their hope that this unique partnership will help reduce recidivism and indigent defendants absorbing public defender fees, thus saving the community money. Barrett adds, “We encourage employers to connect with Linking Michiana and use their services. Sometimes all a person needs is a second chance and someone who believes in them. Maria Miller is that person.”