Why Legislators Should Staff Formerly Incarcerated People Like Me

Experiencing the Colorado State Capitol for the first time can be overwhelming. I never experienced anything like it, and I certainly didn’t expect it to result in a job.

CompTIA training reunites Brian with his passion for IT

Brian had studied information technology (IT) previously when he was a student at the University of Colorado Boulder. He attended the school on a full scholarship through the United States Navy, but like many young people, had a hard time focusing on school and choosing a major. “I was passionate ...

Returning Strong: Darrius comes full circle by joining CEO staff that first inspired him

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. “Many people were wondering what type of life ...

A path to fulfillment: Ubaldo’s journey to helping others after overcoming adversity

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.” Ubaldo has a loving wife and six happy, successful children. He has a career ...

Portable vacuums to 'make a big difference' in litter cleanup across Colorado Springs

Three new portable outdoor vacuums are helping Colorado Springs Public Works crews clean up the city more efficiently and effectively, part of an ongoing initiative to clear trash bags, aluminum soda cans, cardboard and other litter from medians and gutters.

From participant to supervisor, George “passes the baton” of success

George calls his full-time job at Center for Employment Opportunities “an answered prayer.” “Not just the job, but to be able to work alongside others,” George says. “To be able to tell them, hey, I know what it takes. Of course, you have to put in the work, but you ...

“I am not my past”: How Matrice took back control of her life

How reentry cash assistance gave Heather housing security during COVID

For Heather, a Colorado native, things were looking good in 2020 for the first time in awhile. She was released from incarceration in December of 2019 and the following February she began job training and transitional work with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a reentry employment provider. But she ...

Economic mobility after pandemic job loss, thanks to cash assistance

Losing a job during the pandemic could have been a catastrophe for Shaun. But thanks to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) program and our Returning Citizens Stimulus (RCS) cash assistance, this setback didn’t stop him from achieving economic mobility. After battling addiction and receiving a felony conviction in 2019 ...

Colorado Springs woman calls stimulus funds 'blessing' for formerly incarcerated Coloradans

A new program is helping formerly incarcerated people across the country.

Nonprofit gives $1.5M cash to more than 600 formerly incarcerated Coloradans transitioning back to community

Heather Fitzsimmons was working on getting her life back together and staying clean while on probation in Aurora when she noticed what seemed to be an extra deposit in the account where she gets paid.

Carmen’s RCS Story: How cash assistance provided much-needed reentry support, while reuniting a family

Carmen was 40 years old when she found herself caught in the grips of addiction. Carmen’s life began spiraling out of control, resulting in recurring trips to jail and drug clinics, followed by long stretches of probation. She felt her life was starting over again from scratch every time she ...

Indy Give! 2021: Center for Employment Opportunities

COLORADO SPRINGS — FOX21 News is once again working with the Colorado Springs Independent for this year’s Indy Give! campaign. Recently, the Center for Employment Opportunities joined FOX21’s morning crew to talk about its work and what help it needs from the community.

CEO Provides Second Chance Through Work

(A free email subscription on Colorado Springs Business Journal is required to view) - For those newly released from prison, especially those who have served extended sentences, reacclimating to society can seem like an insurmountable task. Industries have been shuttered, technology has marched on without them, and old contacts and ...

Congress Must Invest Now in Jobs for Justice-Impacted Individuals

"Congress must take action and make sure workforce investment and subsidized employment pass in economic recovery legislation being debated in D.C."

CEO Denver's Kristen Payne Talks with Channel 9News About the Program in the Local Community.

Watch video in the link.

Wind, unsecured trash bring more litter along Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A common perception is that much of the litter that accumulates along I-25 in Colorado Springs comes from people who toss it from their vehicles as they drive by. But that's hardly the case.

Weather slows some trash pickup along I-25 in Colorado Springs

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the frequency of snowstorms this fall is delaying some trash removal.The private agency [Center for Employment Opportunities] former prison inmates who do the work as part of their parole -- replacing Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, which employed volunteers who working off community service ...

CDOT acknowledged for parolee work program partnership with Center for Employment Opportunities

DENVER — The Center for Employment Opportunities has recognized the Colorado Department of Transportation for its role in providing transitional work to individuals on probation or recently released on parole. CDOT's partnership with the Center for Employment Opportunities has provided employment for nearly 200 people since May 2017. Participants in ...