Blog

Benjamin's post-incarceration journey exposes the reality of hiring discrimination. When one door closed due to bias, CEO was there to help open another, offering a fair chance at redemption.

CEO's Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) equipped Criss with vital skills post-incarceration, including navigating discussions about his past conviction. However, despite his preparedness, outdated discriminatory hiring practices overshadowed his potential

Despite Rolando's degree in electrical engineering, upon release, his past outweighed his hard work with employers. His experience highlights the urgent need for reform for justice-impacted individuals.

Dion's journey post-incarceration was met with barriers. Despite securing employment, he faced unjust termination. However, with access to CEO's impactful programs, he found a path to a fulfilling career in healthcare.

If you looked up the word motivated in the dictionary, you would see a picture of Matthew when he came home after 20 years inside – he worked full time on a transitional work crew for the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), used his lunch break to study for the Commercial Driver's License test, and spent his nights scanning Indeed for a quality job, sitting in a transition house and knowing that his life was getting better by the day.

Jalisa, a site supervisor at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Charlotte, not only uplifts herself but also empowers the individuals under her wing to reclaim their lives and get back on track.

Some people take a crisis and turn it into an opportunity, and Jason is one of them. Sentenced to prison at the age of 18, Jason knew that he could dwell on his mistakes and live an unhappy life inside, or he could pursue a purpose and be satisfied in a bad situation.

Each year, more than 500,000 individuals return to their communities from prison, seeking meaningful employment and the opportunity for economic mobility. Union-affiliated jobs represent an incredible opportunity for individuals returning home from incarceration to achieve economic mobility as the union often successfully advocates for higher wages and stronger worker protections.

In a world that often neglects people returning home from incarceration and trying to rebuild their life, the path toward employment can be challenging. Terence's journey shines as a beacon of hope for others facing similar, and what can seem like impossible, obstacles. With determination and the transitional support of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), he proved the power of a fair chance and the impact of comprehensive reentry programs.

On December 13, 2023, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) celebrated two pre-apprenticeship graduations in both Buffalo and New York City. ​​The classes are pathways to high-paying union careers in construction free of cost to justice-impacted individuals.

After Terissa M. nearly lost her life in a car accident two years ago and suffered a tragic personal loss, she knew that it was time to seek help for her substance use. But what she didn’t know was that one day, she would be in a position to help other people heal too.

Like many people reentering their communities after incarceration, Demetrius faced roadblocks to obtaining employment once he got home. Prospective employers struggled to look beyond his record, and Demetrius found he needed to improve some professional skills to help him stand out as a job candidate.