Mar 08, 2023 | By Emily Montgomery
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 ...
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Mar 01, 2023 | By Emily Montgomery
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 ...
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Jan 11, 2023 | By The Gazette
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.
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Sep 13, 2022 | By Emily Montgomery
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 ...
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Sep 09, 2022 | By Eric Borsuk
“I am not my past”: How Matrice took back control of her life
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Jul 29, 2022 | By Emily Montgomery
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 ...
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May 11, 2022 | By Emily Montgomery
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 ...
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May 05, 2022 | By KOAA
Colorado Springs woman calls stimulus funds 'blessing' for formerly incarcerated Coloradans
A new program is helping formerly incarcerated people across the country.
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May 04, 2022 | By The Colorado Sun
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.
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Mar 22, 2022 | By Eric Borsuk
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 ...
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Dec 20, 2021 | By FOX21 News
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.
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Nov 23, 2021 | By Colorado Springs Business Journal
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 ...
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Aug 02, 2021 | By Kenneth Edwards
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."
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May 24, 2021 | By 9news.com
CEO Denver's Kristen Payne Talks with Channel 9News About the Program in the Local Community.
Watch video in the link.
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Oct 28, 2020 | By KRDO News
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.
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Dec 10, 2019 | By KRDO News
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 ...
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Dec 07, 2018 | By Vail Daily News
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 ...
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