Tag: People with Criminal Backgrounds

In 1971, while struggling to find an exit strategy from the Vietnam War, President Nixon declared a new war – the War on Drugs. He proposed fighting this war on both the supply side, by cracking down on drug pushers, and on the demand side by investing in strategies to rehabilitate people who were dependent on drugs. Unfortunately, drug abuse remains a serious problem. However, tough sentencing for drug-related crime has done little to deter those on the supply side. Instead, incarceration rates have steadily increased from just under 200,000 people in state and federal prisons in 1971, to more than 1.5 million in 2013.

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Perhaps it can only be true in Washington, DC, that not losing is considered winning. In the face of mounting debt, a stubbornly high deficit, and an economy still struggling to grow fast enough to add enough jobs, Congress is keeping a tight grip on spending.

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Recently, a bi-partisan bill (S. 1513) was introduced in the Senate that would reauthorize and improve programs that aim to improve reintegration for people with a criminal history. Goodwill® is urging Senators to co-sponsor the bill.

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In 1993, I was convicted of a horrible crime. It not only destroyed the life, hopes and dreams of the victim, but it destroyed mine and those of my family. For the next 21 years, I prayed that God would release me and give me another chance at life. I prayed that if he did, I would dedicate my remaining years on earth to the service of mankind, the community of human society.

READ MORE from My Story: Sean Walker

For people returning to society with a criminal record, it’s important to know the legal environment and how laws affects them. Oftentimes, the sometimes-challenging task of getting a job and building a solid career has just got that much more difficult. Here are some updates on ban the box and other fair chance legislation in states, cities and counties across the United States, and what an ex-offender needs to know about their employment rights.

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Like many others in my program at Goodwill Industries of Michiana’s (South Bend) Second Chance @ Work Program, I was enrolled because of a felony I committed in 2009. During this point in my life I ran into many financial issues, so I began selling drugs.

READ MORE from My Story: Jakelia Dooley-Jones

This week, Goodwill® advocates from around the country will visit Capitol Hill and meet with hundreds of lawmakers to advocate for federal investments in programs that leverage Goodwill and benefit the people we serve, and increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. You can help bolster the success of their visits and help strengthen Goodwill’s public policy influence.

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There are many challenges people can face in finding employment (education, health issues and lack of transportation to name a few), but having a criminal record is one of the most significant. Here are some universal best practices about how to best communicate your criminal history.

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It’s the start of the new year and you’re looking for some inspiration. Could your career development plan use help to gain momentum? Women who report being successful and satisfied in their careers often engage in proactive planning. Here are some tips for strategic career development for women.

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Goodwill Industries of Tenneva (Kingsport) helps individuals with criminal backgrounds complete the last step, intervention, by addressing their employability concerns with re-entering the workforce through classes at the Day Reporting Center (DRC). The DRC provides education, sobriety and works to reduce criminal intent for probationers and parolees. Graduation from the DRC program in Johnson City, TN is a big deal for the participants of the grant funded program of the Targeted Community Crime Reduction Project (TCCRP). This past January, two participants, Chris Rowe and Jason Nickles, received their certificate of graduation with smiles and enthusiasm for the next chapter of their lives.

READ MORE from Kingsport, TN Goodwill Helps Participants Succeed Through Re-Entry Program