Providing Resources
for Reintegration
Job Training Resources
Career Discovery NYC
Learn about new careers, take courses to prepare for them, and train to better your skills! It's all for free if you fulfill their guidelines—the eligibility criteria vary depending on the program so be sure to consult their website to confirm.
From web development to construction work to medical assistant, many programs are available.
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They also offer help for resources in accessing cheaper wifi access if you need
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GOSO (Getting Out Staying Out)
With great success, GOSO has uplifted formerly incarcerated individuals in NYC! They hail a three step model of education, employment, and emotional well-being.
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They have three tracks in their programming:
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Foundational: helping with barriers such as substance abuse, homelessness, issues with open case, and more
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Education: Those who don’t have their high school diploma can study for to obtain their diploma or equivalent
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Employment: participate in job readiness workshops and become eligible for job trainings
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The Fortune Society
The Fortune Society offers job readiness training relating to constructing resumes, practicing answers for interview questions, problem solving, and more.
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After job readiness training, you receive training and certificates in one of the following fields:
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Culinary arts
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Green Building Operations & Management
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Environmental Remediation Training
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Transportation Training and Commercial Driver’s License
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They also offer transitional work, a paid 10-week internship with partnering employers
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Refoundry
Refoundry focuses on training formerly incarcerated individuals on repurposing materials to construct home furnishings. They ultimately allow you to launch your own business in this field.
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Refoundry provides mentorship, coaching, and guidance
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To apply as a participant,
email INFO@REFOUNDRY.ORG OR
call (347) 566-8562
CEO Works
CEO Works equips those coming home with employment and support. They offer job-readiness training, gathering documents for benefit program like SNAP, temporary paid employment and feedback, job coaching for a permanent position, and support services to maintain remaining in the workforce.
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To become a participant, you will need: government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card or birth certificate. For more information, email info@ceoworks.org or send an inquiry here
The Osborne Association
With offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx, the Osborne Association work in Workforce and Employment Services. They offer job readiness training for recently released individuals which includes sending graduates of their program to job interviews with real employers. Email svega@osborney.org for more information
They also do work in substance use treatment, medical services, and more. Check out their programs!
Women's Prison Association
The Women's Prison Association, or WPA, has a variety of programs to help women coming home. They help women get employed through "trainings, connection to paid internships, and jobs that match their skills and interests." After you are employed, they maintain support however necessary to succeed at your workplace.
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You can contact them from Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm, at any of the following:
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Email: info@wpaonline.org
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Phone: 646-292-7740
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, or OBT, has many programs to help underserved communities receive the resources they need for economic opportunity. Their youth programming (16-24) provides training for various fields including cloud support engineering, medical administrative assistance training, digital marketing, and more. The programs help youth get a paid internship and a job at a partner employer. Check it out here!
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They also have programming for adults (18+). They offer job placement training in improving resumes, bettering interview skills, and securing an interview. Find more info here
Employment Works
Employment Works is a program run by NYC Department of Probation and Small Business Services. They help those serving probation in Manhattan and the Bronx prepare for and maintain employment (for example: preparing resumes, interviewing preparation, support on workplace etiquette, and more).
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The following is their contact information:
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Address: 69 East 148th Street, 1st Floor, Bronx, NY 10455
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Phone number: 917.477.4418
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Email: tbyerson@fedcap.org
Finding Employment
Strive Career Path
Strive Career Path is a program that runs for 10-12 weeks, helping you develop skills for either Construction & Maintenance or Health & Office Operations. After receiving certifications, you will be able to intern with employer partners.
Attend an informational session on Mondays or Wednesdays at 10AM. Contact information on their website​
Drive Change Fellowship
This culinary-based paid fellowship guides you to train for two months, work at partnering food businesses, and continue receiving mentorship at Drive Change where you interact with staff and alumnus in events and opportunities after graduating!
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Eligibility guidelines:
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Age 18-25, living in NYC
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Have been directly impacted by the legal system
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Can commit 35+ hours a week for 8 months
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Interested in developing culinary skills, and learning about social justice and criminal justice reform
JobsForFelonsHub
JobsForFelonsHub lists job openings by employers in NYC who are friendly to hiring formerly incarcerated individuals.
They have many more resources such as searching for housing, possibly restoring voting rights for those who have committed felonies, and exploring if you can get your felony expunged from your record
CareerOneStop
Check out their list of Job Centers near you to help search for employment, training services, and more.
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Career One Stop can be useful to find services to better support your specific needs in finding a job. They provide resources to consult for crafting your resume and cover letters, obtaining references, getting ready for interviews, and support if you're having difficulty finding a job.
Bonds4Jobs
Bonds4Jobs is a federal Bonding Program run by the US Department of Labor. It has very flexible eligibility guidelines and the process to obtain the bonds is meant to be simple. The bonds are meant to provide security to employers who may be hesitant to hire ex-offenders. They may be issue to cover up to six months of reimbursing employers for any loss due to employee theft
This isn’t a direct employment service, but the bonds may help in your interviewing processes to give employers an incentive
America Works
America Works helps to train you to develop skills for employment, prep you for interviews, and provide support throughout your employment. They have connections to local employers to get you the interview!
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They have offices in every borough, find their contact info here
Fifth Avenue Committee
Based in Brooklyn, Fifth Avenue Committee’s Neighborhood Employment Services helps train, employ, and source referrals for job applicants. Every year, they support around 250 low-income New Yorkers, some of whom have had interactions with the criminal justice system. They track your progress over the course of your employment
More Organizations:
Take a look at these organizations which we mentioned above in the training resources section:
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These organizations help you get interviews at partner employers to help you land a job there! They're all valuable and notable institutions dedicated to helping formerly incarcerate individuals. Contact them as you need!
Additional Information
Jail to Jobs
Jail to Jobs is an amazing resource with very valuable, detailed information on job training, employment opportunities, employer incentives, and more. Give it a visit!
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library has an extremely extensive list of incredible organizations for engaging in job training and securing a job! Please give them a look
Brooklyn DA's Office
The Brooklyn DA's office has a few programs listed that can help with employment services for your transition back home. We encourage you to explore if they are relevant to you!
General Guides:
Explore some guides to help your job search:
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Prison Fellowship's brief article gives a good high-level overview on the job search process. Check it out!
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Reenter Essentials has a great guide on resources for reentry, listing many organizations throughout NYC for many purposes.
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Jobs That Hire Felons lists hundreds of companies in different industries that are willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals