Turnaround Tuesday is a holistic, second chance jobs movement - born in Baltimore – whose mission is “to prepare, train, and connect returning, unemployed, and underemployed citizens to livable wage jobs and to build a vibrant public life.” QV Health Solutions worked with Turnaround Tuesday and Decision Point Strategy Group to develop a 10-year vision and corresponding strategic 2-year action plan to build and scale this unique job readiness and support community, including decision frameworks, financial modeling, and sustainability planning.

A core differentiator between Turnaround Tuesday and typical “jobs development” programs is its success in establishing and retaining trusting relationships and a persistent sense of community – with and among participants, employers, funders, service providers, and the broader communities served.

Baltimore City struggles with high unemployment and underemployment rates, particularly for criminal justice involved individuals. Baltimore is home to only 9% of Maryland state residents but accounts for 40% of people in state prison. Each year, an estimated 2,963 individuals are released from state or federal prison to Baltimore. Over 2,000 additional individuals may be experiencing long-term unemployment.

While several job placement programs exist, very few have successfully addressed in a coordinated manner the complex set of challenges faced by these individuals and prospective employers. This persistent lack of equitable opportunity for economic mobility has inhibited community resilience efforts and impeded progress toward broad-based revitalization of Baltimore’s economy.

Turnaround Tuesday’s mission is “to prepare, train, and connect returning, unemployed, and underemployed citizens to livable wage jobs and to build a vibrant public life.” Participants do not simply have one interaction with the organization, but rather the program is driven by the fostering of long-term community and building of personal relationships.

Using a come-as-you-are approach, participants have access to a spectrum of highly individualized, intensive training and support from Turnaround Tuesday with connection to additional wraparound services from an extensive network of community partners to assist with mitigating or removing barriers to employment.

Without successful engagement individuals and families are at higher risk for adverse outcomes such as (re) involvement in the criminal justice system, poor physical and/or mental health outcomes, family separation, and other effects of persistent lack of economic opportunity. Those who are underemployed are less likely to access jobs with higher wages or a career path. The resulting impact is felt by the affected individuals, their families, employers, and broader communities.

Using the action plan developed through engagement with QV Health Solutions, Turnaround Tuesday has doubled the number of sites they are serving and expanded their large employer training program generating earned revenue to invest back in the organization. Through strategic growth, by 2033, we estimated Turnaround Tuesday will be able to place 6x as many participants into livable wage jobs - increasing the number of people directly supported in obtaining employment to approximately 1,600 annually.

Additionally, Turnaround Tuesday is planning to expand into other comparable communities in the State and region by defining the criteria and necessary conditions for expansion. Eventually the hope is to establish the Turnaround Tuesday Movement in 5-10 similarly challenged communities beyond Maryland.

Multiple stakeholders stand to see significant impacts from this growth. State and local governments will see improved employment rates and reduced reliance on benefits. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will see reduced incarceration and recidivism. Private employer partners will see recruiting and retention benefits.