Houston Hackathon Focuses on Innovative Employment Solutions for Reintegrating Individuals

Innovative Solutions for Second-Chance Employment in Houston

In Texas, a staggering number of individuals—over 78,000—are released from incarceration annually. Alarmingly, around 75% of these individuals remain unemployed one year later. Recognizing the pressing need for effective solutions, the recent Bank on 100 Million Houston Hackathon, held on April 23-24, brought together more than 140 leaders from various sectors. Participants included justice-impacted individuals, employers, policymakers, and community organizations, all aiming to create pathways to economic opportunity and facilitate successful workforce reentry.

The hackathon, hosted by Mission Launch in partnership with Aventiv Technologies, provided an engaging two-day platform featuring design thinking sessions and innovation labs. The goal was to dismantle barriers faced by individuals with criminal records. During the event, participants collaborated on various solutions, such as digital career readiness programs, skills-based hiring models, and innovative cross-sector partnerships aligned with industry labor demands.

Event Highlights

The hackathon was rich in content and interaction, featuring six engaging fireside chats. These discussions spotlighted the challenges and solutions in reentry and employment, with contributions from justice-impacted individuals and prominent local business leaders like Chris Valka from the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, Jane Oates of WorkingNation, and others from various sectors.

Breakout sessions focused on specific opportunity areas where teams engaged in ideation, resource mapping, and design sprints. The collaborative spirit was aimed at developing scalable solutions to real-world reentry challenges, with each participant bringing unique insights and perspectives to the table.

Alisha Shoates James, Senior Vice President of Aventiv Technologies, expressed her pride in the accomplishments of the hackathon: "We're incredibly proud of what this hackathon achieved—not just the innovative ideas, but the energy and commitment from everyone involved. By opening doors for justice-impacted individuals, we're not just making a smart investment; we are nurturing our communities and fostering a stronger economy."

Teresa Hodge, the Founder of Mission Launch and Chair of the Aventiv Advisory Board, emphasized the economic importance of second-chance employment within the Houston context. She noted, "In a city where the unemployment rate is 4.5%, embracing second-chance employment is not just an act of compassion but an economic necessity. By creating opportunities for individuals eager to contribute, we tackle labor shortages and uplift our communities. The Hackathon demonstrated that when we invest in second chances, we are investing in a more inclusive future for everyone."

In the aftermath of the hackathon, Aventiv Technologies pledged to continue its investment in reentry support through tablet-based education and job readiness technology. Simultaneously, Mission Launch committed to working with partners to implement and expand the solutions developed during the event.

About the Organizations

Aventiv Technologies is based in Plano, Texas, and is recognized as a leader in providing innovative and secure technology solutions that enhance connectivity for correctional facilities, law enforcement, incarcerated individuals, and their families. Their portfolio includes over 80 cost-effective products designed to promote operational efficiency and strengthen community outcomes across more than 1,800 agencies nationwide.

Mission Launch, located in Columbia, Maryland, focuses on supporting individuals impacted by arrest or conviction records. Their mission centers on reducing the duration it takes for justice-impacted individuals to achieve economic stability through pathways leading to family-sustaining wages. For over a decade, Mission Launch has been instrumental in building cross-sector collaborations through various innovative initiatives, including the Bank on 100 Million Coalition and the LaunchPad Career Pathways program.

For those interested in learning more about these organizations and their dynamic initiatives, please visit their respective websites: Aventiv Technologies and Mission Launch.