Can a Side Hustle Be a ‘Proper’ Job?

Forget ‘Good’ or ‘Bad,’ Workers Want Something Real

This piece publishes as part of the Zócalo/The James Irvine Foundation public program and editorial series, “What Is a Good Job Now?” which investigates low-wage work across California. Register for the event “What Is a Good Job Now?” In Gig Work on Wednesday, March 13 in Oakland, CA—live in person and online.

By all accounts, the 29-year-old woman I interviewed was a successful freelancer. She described herself as an “arts worker able to support myself in New York.” When the pandemic started, she lost all of her gigs, …

by Alexandrea J. Ravenelle | February 29, 2024

Anti-Recidivism Coalition Executive Director Sam Lewis

On a Clear Night, the Stars Seem Like You Can Grab Them

February 2, 2024

Sam Lewis is the executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. He previously served as the director of Inside Programs where he created the Hope and Redemption Team, engaging formerly incarcerated staff to lead rehabilitative …

Amity Foundation President and CEO Doug Bond

I’m Not a Big Dancer, but I’ll Dance for My Wife

February 2, 2024

Doug Bond is president and CEO of Amity Foundation, overseeing dozens of contracts including four residential campuses serving people with histories of criminal justice system involvement, addiction, and homelessness. Before …

Life After Incarceration Starts in Community

“‘What Is a Good Job Now?’ For the Formerly Incarcerated” Reveals the Hard, Long Work of Building Careers for People Reentering Society

by Talib Jabbar | January 26, 2024

What is a good job now?

That has been the guiding question for Zócalo’s ongoing series investigating low-wage work across sectors in California—supported by The James Irvine Foundation. Thus far, we’ve …

With Sentencing Reforms, the Distance Between Prison and the Job Market Is Shrinking

California’s Criminal Justice System Is Offering More Opportunities and Training for Lifers Like Me

by David Medina | January 22, 2024

This piece publishes as part of the Zócalo/The James Irvine Foundation public program and editorial series, “What Is a Good Job Now?” which investigates …

Prison Time Can Be Your Superpower in Business

I’m Formerly Incarcerated, and I Help People Reentering the Job Market Understand the Value of Their Experiences Inside

by Quan Huynh | January 17, 2024