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Today, CEO officially launches Returning Strong, a campaign calling for a new, collective narrative about reentry that rejects the stigma associated with system involvement and instead amplifies the talent, heart and voice of the people we serve all across the country.

CEO is celebrating the women leaders who make our work possible. For 14 years Elizabeth Balfour has served on CEO’s board of directors. We asked Elizabeth to share her reflections on Women’s History Month and her leadership at CEO.

It’s not unusual for CEO employees to be highlighted for their hard work by supervisors, coworkers, and family. But it is a special occasion for their efforts to be acknowledged by a professional sports team.

Today, Darrius is an eloquent and reflective leader who pours his heart into the work of helping individuals returning home from incarceration. But it wasn’t long ago Darrius was on the other side, unsure what his life would look like after prison.

Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate Black resilience. Resilience is generally defined as “the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties.”

Looking at his life today, Ubaldo sometimes has to pinch himself. “I tell my wife all the time, am I dreaming?,” he says, “It’s so wonderful. I’m so proud of where I am professionally and personally.”

Stan Ball, Vice President, and Chief Litigation Counsel at Eaton Corporation, recently sat down with members of the Levelset team to talk about the company’s rationale and motivation to develop and implement Fair Chance Hiring practices. Stan speaks on his experience as a lawyer and provides helpful background on evaluating risk in hiring people with past convictions.

Going to court while incarcerated is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences; you lie awake throughout the night because the anxiety of the unknown permeates your thoughts. Early in the morning, while the rest of the world is fast asleep, you hear your name through the loud intercom, and the door that has kept you locked away from the world opens up so you can approach your fate. As you walk out of the door, you double your socks because the ankle cuffs that will soon restrain your steps from full stride will inevitably leave you scraped.

Each Martin Luther King Jr. day, I re-read Dr. King's 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail. It stands out to me as both a movement leader’s brilliant response to criticism from those who should be supporting his work and a lesson on what lies at the heart of a true democracy: justice for all.

Rubin moved to Albany, NY, from Brooklyn with his mother in 1985. He says he loves the seasons of upstate New York and he is grateful to be close to other family members, such as nieces and nephews he has watched grow up.

We are thrilled to announce that Christopher Watler has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice President (EVP) of CEO. This promotion is a recognition of the leadership that Chris has displayed at CEO for over six years, along with some new responsibilities added to his portfolio.

When Bella grew up in Los Angeles, there were payphones everywhere. Then, returning to the city in 2018 after being incarcerated for twelve years, she said it was like she had “stepped into a different world.”