Goodwill Industries International’s Post

In Prince George's County, we are reimagining the re-entry process for our returning citizens! With informed perspectives and new systems, we are taking a holistic approach to re-entry, aimed at reducing recidivism in our County.   County Executive Angela Alsobrooks launched our Returning Citizens Affairs Division (RCAD) in 2022, led by Michael Williams, MPA, after recommendations made by our Returning Citizens Advisory Board, which was launched in 2019. Because we understand that securing a job is not the only thing one needs to do to successfully transition back into society, RCAD also offers mentorship, transitional housing, document preparation, and more.✅     The impact that these initiatives & programs have had on participants so far is promising and recidivism amongst participants is down significantly. For us, Second Chance Month is beyond just a holiday.    Learn more about our re-entry initiatives & programs at: mypgc.us/RCAD    Employers can find more information on our Re-Entry Employment Incentive Program at: https://lnkd.in/ermb7wrF 

"When it comes to reshaping policies, remember this: people with lived experiences might not have all the answers, but they’ve got the experience. They’ve got the drive to make a change, the insights to identify what needs fixing in the system, and the firsthand knowledge of the barriers they’ve dismantled to escape the cycle of homelessness." Today is International Youth Day, and we're spotlighting Board Trainee Brea Dorsett, who shares why lived experience voices are essential to solving the housing crisis. https://lnkd.in/g2-GUvhm

For those in need of a specialty coffee supplier, but want to change lives at the same time.. I'm very proud to work with SEND Coffee and here's a short video that outlines some of the work we do. #SpecialEducationalNeedsaandDisabilities

This career development documentary follows 3 women who attempt to change their circumstance through the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator program. Capturing their motivation, struggles and ultimate success in business, the women were able to reverse their fortunes, better support their families, and embark on new career pathways. https://lnkd.in/ed6gYW5K

#ThrowbackThursday: Our mission hasn't changed! Workforce Development and Education (WDE) helps transform Mission Men from dependence and homelessness to long-term economic self-sufficiency. We focus on entry-level to intermediate jobs in STEM, hospitality, culinary, labor, administration, and Green industries. By educating, engaging, and employing men in promising positions, we create lasting change. What has made it all possible, both then and now? The transformative power of the Gospel. #MissionStrong #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicEmpowerment

Funding Opportunity

What we need is not more DEI initiatives… 8 years ago, I could never have imagined staying in this community. 🚩 Didn’t know anyone. 🚩 Stuck out like a sore thumb. 🚩 Dealt with my own fair share of discrimination. But somehow, I stayed. Ten years later, I’m still here and proudly choosing to! Communities don’t develop themselves—people develop communities. When people become intentional about each other, we end up with a place more people desire to be a part of. At our core, we desire to connect but don’t always know how. 🚩 Caution, fear, uncertainty are some of the words that limit our ability to connect with one another. ✅ Awareness, exposure, openness, vulnerability are words that bring people together and help us grow relationships. In my experience, developing real working relationships and feeling like I belong only took a matter of landing in a work environment where I began to encounter the right group of people. They did not know it all but they treated me like I was them. That is very easily what kept me in this community until I found a bigger purpose—helping the people in our community and workforce connect and develop real relationships. Every 4-6 weeks, I along with other amazing facilitators spend a full day teaching cultural competency. It’s been a wild ride and it only gets better. Springfield is well positioned for this. culturalcompetency-utp.com #culturalcompetency #community #workforcedevelopment #springfieldmo #southwestmissouri

So many in the Acknowledgements are folks I know, totally deserving the kudos for their work on this great program! But - one report quibble: The recommendation cites multiple things that can help workers use the Care4 application, and the report acknowledges data entry into multiple systems. But where is the recommendation for data integration? So many great systems enabling workers to track so many things and collecting so much wonderful data, all maintained in their separate silos, preventing 360 data analysis and making workers type things twice. Alas. #childwelfare #systemsintegration

Success can be obtained by helping others.

You Belong is an initiative launched by REFORM Alliance to champion Second Chance Month. #YouBelong is also meant to affirm that giving second chances is a true collective effort. Everyone, from employers to service providers, has a role to play in ensuring this nation is a nation of second chances. We believe everyone deserves a chance to build a fulfilling life, regardless of their worst mistake. Data shows that access to jobs for returning citizens reduces recidivism by over 50%. But the unemployment rate for returning citizens surpasses the national rate at the height of the Great Depression. When returning citizens have access to meaningful employment, they're better equipped to build stable lives, contribute positively to society, and break the cycle of recidivism. Nationwide, nearly 44% of people released from prison end up returning in less than a year. It's a shocking number, but it doesn't have to be this way. This #SecondChanceMonth, be a part of the solution. Visit our website to get involved and discover success stories of returning citizens. Together, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.