Fontella Hampton was recently promoted to shift leaderat the MOD Pizza chain. Two years ago, simply getting andholding down a job was a daunting prospect. Hampton, 53, was behindbars in the Logan Correctional Center near Springfield, Illinois,after being convicted of domestic battery.She'd previously served time for drug possession.

Not exactly the life history employers look for. ButHampton applied to MOD through 70 Million Jobs, a for-profit job boardfor people with criminal records, and was hired about 10months ago at one of the fast-casual chain's Chicago-arearestaurants. Now she's supporting three of her grandchildren,buying a house, and celebrating a fresh start.

“It's the reason I get up out of bed in the morning, because Iwas only getting up to go and do drugs,” she says. “Once I got thejob under my belt, I just had to find myself and get the confidencethat I could do these things.”