Lawrence built a career after hitting rock bottom, but others like him are still struggling. This is why

In a small warehouse, Lawrence is busy checking the daily deliveries of fresh food, including fruit, milk and pantry items.

Fulfilling orders from 1,400 customers in Melbourne keeps his team busy, and there is a sense of gratitude on the warehouse floor. That’s because the workers, including Lawrence, are ex-cons.

“I love my job, yes. And for the first time in a long time I am happy again,” says 45-year-old Lawrence.

“And I’m proud to be part of a company that gives people a second chance.”

A man in a hi-vis vest sits in the cab of a forklift truck in a warehouse.

Lawrence drives the forklift in the fruit2work warehouse. Source: SBS / Sandra Volloon

Lawrence is now a warehouse manager and one of 130 ex-offenders employed so far by fruit2work, a social enterprise and registered charity, which helps ex-offenders return to the community.

Lawrence, the son of migrants from Malta, grew up in Sunshine, 13 kilometers west of Melbourne, and says he developed an addiction in his late 30s.

“The worst thing about addiction for me was having no income and trying to find an income to support my addiction led to stealing. It was that simple,” he says.

Several stints in prison followed, until addiction ultimately cost him his marriage and his self-respect.

“Towards the end, I chose to be homeless. I lived in my car, I lived on couches. It was a pretty dark time in my life, a very dark place,” he says.

“It wasn’t a nice feeling. I honestly don’t want to experience that again.”

A man in a striking vest holding apples and standing in front of a box of pears.

Lawrence packs fruit for deliveries throughout Melbourne. Source: SBS / Sandra Volloon

After his final release in 2021, Lawrence, like many ex-offenders, faced numerous barriers to his return to society.

“When I got out, I started looking for work as a forklift driver or delivery person. I just wanted a job. And I put out a few resumes and made phone calls, but I never heard back,” he says.

It is a common problem and a factor in Australia’s high recidivism rate. Nationally, 42 percent of all adults released from prison are back inside within two years.

“This recidivism rate in Australia is one of the highest in the developed world,” says Rob Brown, owner and principal opportunity maker at fruit2work.

Yet he says that fruit2work employees do not recidivate.

A man in a black vest stands in the font of a cardboard box in a warehouse.

Rob Brown is ‘chief opportunity creator’ at Fruit2Work. Source: SBS / Sandra Volloon

“We have worked hard to create an organization that does not judge people. There is no stigma and we treat each other with respect,” says Brown.

To mentor and train new employees, Brown says fruit2work draws on experiences, including his own.

“I’m from Glasgow. When I was younger, I had my own challenges. Then someone gave me a chance, and I was lucky enough to end up running businesses all over the world.

“I wouldn’t have done that if someone hadn’t given me a chance. Because the reality is that I would either still be in prison or I would be dead.

After purchasing the social enterprise in 2016, Brown says it aims to achieve a turnover of around $8 million this year and is growing rapidly, with several warehouses in Melbourne and a new branch in Brisbane.

“I really hope this is rolled out nationally because it is an area that is lacking within the system,” said Victorian operations manager Rick Young, who has spent 10 of the last 13 years in prison.

Young says he has struggled with addiction most of his life, but is still clean after four and a half years. A job at fruit2work is a big part of that.

“What it does is give people hope that if you really want to try it, there is a place where you can come and get a job. And I think that’s needed across the country.”

A man in a black T-shirt stands next to a box of pears in a warehouse.

fruit2work Victoria operations manager Rick Young. Source: SBS / Sandra Volloon

Fruit2work is one of 600 certified social enterprises across Australia. These for-profit companies are tackling social issues and their numbers are growing rapidly, with sales expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2030.

Social Traders helps companies like these win contracts and grow their turnover. CEO Tara Anderson praised fruit2work as a great success story.

“They have involved the people they support in realizing their model. The number of people who are no longer in violation by working with fruit2work proves that a social problem can be solved,” says Anderson.

A man in a distinctive vest looks over his shoulder as he sits on a forklift in a warehouse.

Lawrence says fruit2work changed his life. Source: SBS / Sandra Volloon

“And it is an example of the success of social enterprises: starting small, growing interstate, growing every year and wanting to do more and more.”

For Lawrence, fruit2work is about much more than just a job. It is a door to a better life.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity and the position I am in. You never know, I might go further in this company than a warehouse manager,” he says.

“And my personal goal for the future might be to buy a house someday.”

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