Louisville non-profit helps those recently released from prison find employment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - For those starting over after being incarcerated, having a fresh start begins with getting a job.

That’s where the Center for Employment Opportunities, or CEO, steps in. The organization helps to reduce recidivism rates in Kentucky by helping those who have recently been released from prison find full-time employment.

“I make contact and their first question is why haven’t you worked in this amount of time and I tell them I’ve been incarcerated and that usually ends the conversation,” said Brandon Snowden, a CEO participant.

“Most jobs and interviewers just look at your resume, just text. They don’t even try to understand the person or give that person a chance,” said participant AJ Abdallah. “CEO was honestly a blessing.”

CEO partners with businesses and organizations to provide transitional employment to those who have been released from prison within the past two years or are currently on probation or parole.

The jobs pay an hourly wage and range from litter cleanup, landscaping, and graffiti removal to operating heavy machinery. The non-profit also provides career coaching - offering resume building, mock interviewing, and referrals to employers.

Even after participants secure a job, CEO stays in touch to make sure they’ll be able to keep the job for the first year.

“Once you are able to obtain full-time employment, we then provide up to 12 months of retention services,” said site director Ray Mansfield. “We’re going to stay in touch with you, we’re going to make sure nothing new has come up that would prevent you from remaining successful with that employer.”

CEO also helps participants with other hurdles like obtaining government IDs, setting up a bank account, or accessing transportation.

Many of the barriers they face aren’t just physical. They can also be mental.

“It’s hard for those who haven’t had responsibilities to get out and know how to take care of a home, keep your insurance on your car, keep your home clean, keep a job,” said participant Deshan Hollins.

“A lot of these individuals just aren’t heard,” Mansfield said. “They just want someone to talk to, someone to hear them out and to actually care to help them and get them the things that they need.”

Participants who show leadership skills can earn a permanent job with CEO as a senior site supervisor, like Kayla Vandiver.

“It’s very rewarding,” Vandiver said. “Just getting to see the light come on in people’s eyes, getting to help somebody along their journey, being able to instill that hope in them and help them see their future.”

The program also gives participants a chance to learn skills like how to earn a commercial driver’s license or get a job in the trades, giving them a chance to choose their own path forward.

“I just took up a trade. I’m starting a welding program that they have at CEO, so I’m trying to be a welder,” Snowden said.

“I’m trying to do CDLA and be on the road because I missed out on so much,” Abdallah said. “I just want to see the country while I’m young enough to do it.”

You can learn more about CEO here.