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Press Release
| Ex-Offenders Get Help from an Employment Pro
Angela D’Arena, President of AD Employment Firm, LLC in Hamden, gives advice to Phoenix Rumley, as part of the CTWorks Re-Entry to the World of Work program for ex-offenders. Ms. D’Arena finds participants employment opportunities in many different industries. Because she is sensitive to the issues facing the ex-offenders, as well as to the needs and concerns of employers, AD Employment has an excellent record of success in job placements. |
Ex-Offenders Offered Assistance for Job Search and Training
Workforce Alliance and its CT Works One Stop Career Centers are reaching out to provide enhanced services for ex-offenders. Every month, hundreds of ex-offenders are released into the communities of South Central Connecticut. Workforce Alliance has programs to assist these individuals as they look for jobs or training.
“Connecticut has had minimal population growth,” said William Villano, Executive Director of the Workforce Alliance. “Combine that with less participation in the labor force and you can see how important it is that these individuals become part of the labor pool.”
One program, Ex-Offenders Re-entry into the World of Work, is currently providing people with life skills training, job training and job placement services. Parole and probation officers, half-way houses and word of mouth lead clients to the office of project manager Freeman Holloway. Holloway has been working with this community for many years, and has never seen a more cooperative environment. This new confidence is based on successful job placements where ex-offenders have become long term employees.
“By the time an employer meets a job candidate, they have been screened and well-prepared. We start by knowing the clients as individuals.” said Holloway. “Then they begin to trust us. Working with the police, the district attorney, and job training and placement agencies, we provide an orientation to the services available. If they are interested, we ask them to fill out a 50-question checklist that helps us identify potential barriers to employment. Then we put them on the appropriate career track.” |
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New Haven Police Chief Ortiz addresses ex-offenders at a transition to work orientation |
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All clients are offered planning workshops focusing on attitude, personal responsibility, interviewing techniques and job applications. Computer classes are popular, with 21 clients currently enrolled in the course. Workforce Alliance also transports clients to job fairs, and refers others to adult education. “By working with people who had few options, and even less opportunity in the past, we are reflecting the dramatic changes in society and in the workforce,” said Workforce Alliance Board Chairman Noel Grant. “Watching ex-offenders move into jobs and build full lives is very gratifying.” |
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