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A second chance for Shouse
After Roanoke voted to ban the box, Addison Shouse says he’s been given a second chance.
By Samantha Hill
Addison Shouse works at Direct TV building sales teams, works part-time at Applebee’s and even runs his own online gift shop business with his twin brother. Despite his successes, Shouse has baggage.
Shouse is an ex-felon.
He was first arrested in 2007 when officials caught him with moonshine on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Because the parkway is government property, officials charged him with a felony.
Shouse says since then, everything he’s run into seems to be an arrestable offense. In Aug. 22, 2014, Shouse was released from Roanoke City Jail after serving a six-month sentence for possession of a firearm. He says he was caught carrying a Taser, something he didn’t realize he couldn’t carry as a felon.
Roanoke, Va., Oct. 30 – Coffee with Shouse: Shouse explained his involvement with Virginia CARES and how ban the box changed his life. Photo: Samantha Hill
“It was a tough learning lesson but I’m definitely trying to do something else with my life,” Shouse says.
Shouse became involved with Total Action for Progress, an organization in Roanoke that helps ex-offenders. The organization has a program called Virginia CARES that helps ex-offenders find jobs.
Despite the program, Shouse says he still had trouble obtaining a job. His possession of a firearm charge alone deterred employers from his job application.
“On paper, it definitely looks a lot different than what it really looks like, so it’s definitely been a barrier,” Shouse says.
On Oct. 9, 2014, Roanoke officials banned the box on job applications asking whether or not the applicant has been convicted of a felony. For Shouse, this is the second chance he’s been looking for.
“I feel like the box gives me a chance to kind of work where I left off and not have to start back all over again,” Shouse says.
Now, Shouse is working to restore his civil rights and return to school. He also aspires to expand his gift shop business into a store.
Roanoke, Va., Nov. 5 – Source of hope: This building houses Total Action for Progress, an organization that assists ex-felons. Photo: Samantha Hill