Partnership Success in Supporting Re-Entering Residents for Second/Fair Chance Month

April is  Second Chance/Fair Chance Month, dedicated to supporting the successful reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals into society.   The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) works with those returning from incarceration in several ways.

1. Over the past program year, The Partnership’s network leveraged federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding to serve more than 700 returning residents:

• • 99% received Career Services
  • 77% received Training/Education Services
  • 60% landed a job when they left the network with wages averaging more than $22 an hour.

2. The Partnership leveraged American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated by Cook County to create the Road Home In one year, the program served more than 100 returning residents and placed nearly 70 residents into jobs earning nearly $20 an hour, in roles such as bus and truck drivers, business service representatives, and maintenance technicians.

Successful Reentrant from Partnership Network: Wolfgang V., 40, met a representative of The Partnership’s network at a hiring fair focused on those who had been justice involved.  He had been addicted to drugs and was arrested related to car theft and drug possession. He describes his year of incarceration as “good for him overall,” as it gave him a chance to “get clean,” and start a new life. He says his work with his Central States SER Career Coach, a member of The Partnership’s network, was very positive. He received tuition for training and is now in the process of obtaining his Commercial Driver’s License. “I am grateful to the team at Central States SER who supported me in my recovery and quest for a fulfilling career,” says Wolfgang. (Wolfgang is available for media availability; photo attached.)      

To reach The Partnership’s network for training and career services, visit LevelUpAJC.org or the website at Chicookworks.org