About
Michael Gaines is a member of the White Collar Support Group and works at the Center for Employment Opportunities, helping people coming home from prison re-enter the workforce and find meaningful employment. He came to that work after a career in banking and his own justice journey.
On the 2025 White Collar Conference panel on restoration through community he talked about pride, asking for help, and what second chances look like when employers mean them.
At the White Collar Conference
Michael Gaines talked about getting past pride to ask for help, building trust with men coming home, and the stigma that follows people long after they have paid for what they did.
“We're in the same fraternity, you know, whether we want to be in it or not.”
Watch at 10:37
“I'm your biggest cheerleader, man.”
Watch at 14:46
“You pay for what you did, but you never really stop paying.”
Watch at 31:48
Chapters
- 0:00 Drew Chapin introduces the panel
- 3:09 Pamela Winn on going from surviving to fighting
- 6:49 Gina Pendergraph on why she always picks up the phone
- 8:33 Michael Gaines on pride and asking for help
- 11:00 Building trust in a support community
- 16:58 Pamela Winn on RestoreHER and the First Step Act
- 22:06 The Women's Care Act
- 25:58 Gina Pendergraph on staying connected to people inside
- 29:55 Hopes for the next ten years
With Drew Chapin (moderator), Pamela Winn and Gina Pendergraph
Join us in fall 2027.
The fourth annual White Collar Conference is planned for fall 2027, virtual on Zoom and open to all.