Jonathan Reck is a man on a mission.

“I'm looking for a job,” said Reck.  “I'm a convicted felon.  They have many opportunities here to help convicted felons."

After serving a nearly two years in prison for burglary, Reck is looking for work.

"It's very hard,” said Reck.  “Once they see you're a convicted felon, they just see the ‘check yes,’ they're not even going to call you in.  They're not going to even bother with you."

Thanks to the first-ever Erie County Re-entry Workforce Summit, Reck and more than 100 other ex-offenders are potentially getting a second chance.

The event was held on Tuesday at the Bayfront Sheraton.

It’s part of Unified Erie's re-entry strategy.  The initiative helps connect those who are coming out of prison with employers.

For entrepreneur Brent Davis, who is president of B. Davis Enterprises, LLC, it's a chance to provide opportunity.

"It's important to look at that, by providing opportunity and empowering these individuals, they can become a productive employee or subcontractor for a business.” Said Davis.

By giving ex-offenders a second chance, those involved with the program say it will benefit the community by breaking a cycle of crime.

"This is a chance for us to break that cycle and slow down the gun violence, provide opportunity, and where there is opportunity, there is prosperity." Said Davis.

Reck agrees.

“This is great,” said Reck.  “I've never had an opportunity like this before."