Second chances at work: Reentry crews tackle roadside cleanup

One of the most challenging barriers to stability for the formerly incarcerated can be finding stable employment, said Courtney Daniels, director of CEO Cincinnati.

Program gives those formerly incarcerated a job, a chance

It can be tough for individuals to transition back into society after being in prison, but Columbus’ Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is working to make that process easier by providing immediate paid employment to those recently released from prison. “Thanks to CEO, I’m a better man today, and I ...

Columbus conference makes way for second chances

Hundreds of Ohioans are getting a fresh start thanks to the National Returning Citizen Conference that gets underway in Columbus on Thursday. It’s an opportunity for people who used to be incarcerated to share their stories and find support as they reenter society.The Center for Employment Opportunities in Columbus is ...

Center for Employment Opportunities helps formerly incarcerated find jobs, reduce recidivism

Center for Employment Opportunities helps formerly incarcerated individuals find work and transition back into society after release. Participants earn $10.50 an hour picking up litter along the highway or at Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority properties.

One Hundred Dollars to Live: A Mother’s Reality on SNAP

Ramonia worked in public service in Ohio for nearly 20 years before a nonviolent criminal conviction in 2019 ended her career and livelihood. Although she avoided prison, she now faces significant challenges finding full-time, good-paying work due to her criminal record. “It’s very chaotic and frustrating,” said Ramonia. “I’m applying ...

From Survival to Success: Isaac’s Journey After Incarceration

Growing up in Del Paso Heights, Sacramento, Isaac faced many challenges. With two parents who struggled with addiction and were often incarcerated, he was in and out of foster care and soon started getting into trouble in his early teens for fighting. “Growing up the way I did was physically ...

Abu's Path from Parole to Promotion

Abu, the youngest of ten kids raised in Chicago, has never been one to coast through anything in life; when he develops a passion for something, whether it be Scrabble, public speaking, or manufacturing operations, he goes all in. “I was raised to work,” says Abu. “I learned early on ...

How Long Should Someone Be Punished After They Make a Mistake?

Dion was born and raised in Cincinnati and has loved music as long as he can remember. A talented rapper, he knew that he needed a good job when he got out of prison so he could support his dreams of performing live. After his release, Dion was applying for ...

Everyone Needs a Fair Chance

Discrimination is not always easy to detect and can be impossible to prove, but Bridget knew it when she felt it. Since getting out of prison six years ago, there were many times that the formerly incarcerated mother of two applied for a job that she was qualified for and ...

From Rejection to Entrepreneurship: A Journey Beyond a Background Check

Despite 22 years in restaurant management, Marvin found himself having a very difficult time finding work when he came home from prison in 2022. He desperately needed a job, so he went to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and started working on a transitional work crew. After a few ...

A Workforce That Holds Your Past Against You

Prior to Rolandon being convicted of a felony and put on probation, it was never hard for him to get a job. He’d been to college for electrical engineering, had a solid work history, and was extremely reliable. However, he quickly learned of the all-too-real impact a criminal record would ...

How to Keep Hope When Your Second Chance is Taken Away

After college, Alex made some wrong turns and unfortunately found himself involved with the justice system. However, he believed that one day he could still find a good career doing what he loved. When he came home, he was extremely diligent with his job-hunting and made sure he was prepared ...

An Indefinite Punishment

There is an art to cooking. That was what Benjamin learned after living in an apartment above a restaurant when he was released from prison, training with a chef while participating in a reentry vocational program. The program was a great stepping stone for Benjamin, but after finally being home ...

“Best moment of my life”: Dion reflects on apprenticeship graduation

Reflecting on his graduation this past summer from the Building Futures Program, an apprenticeship program for the construction industry, Dion said that having his father present meant everything to him. “My dad drove all the way to Columbus to see me graduate,” Dion said. “His smile when I showed him ...

CEO Cleveland scores big with recognition from an NBA affiliate team

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. On Friday, February 24, the Cleveland Charge recognized the efforts of CEO Cleveland employees and ...

Celebrating a full year of employment, Brian looks to the future

This past July, around the time many Americans were celebrating the anniversary of the nation’s founding, Ohio resident Brian celebrated a personal milestone: 365 days of employment post-incarceration. Brian’s job keeps the rest of us safe. He works in the Vehicle Quality Department at a Honda plant outside Columbus, where ...

Cuyahoga County hosting job and resource fair for formerly incarcerated

During “Reentry Week 2022,” the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry is hosting a job and resource fair to help people with criminal records opportunities for employment and a fresh start.

Cincinnati residents with criminal history get a second chance at jobs

The Center for Employment Opportunities hosted a re-entry job fair aiming to employ those who have a criminal history.

CEO Cleveland site director testifies before Ohio legislature in support of more opportunities for judicial release

Devon Hickman, CEO Cleveland Site Director, testified before the Ohio legislature in support of SB 288, which expands opportunities for judicial release in Ohio. You can read the full testimony here.

CEO Cleveland Ready to Help Formerly Incarcerated Get to Work

CEO Cleveland Director Devon Hickman spoke with TV20 News to discuss CEO’s program and work. (Discussion starts at 5:08)

U.S. Bank uses grant to create employment opportunities [VIDEO]

Erica DiMartino-McNertney, CEO Cincinnati Site Director, joins Fox19 Now to discuss U.S. Bank's investment in CEO's program.

U.S. Bank Foundation invests $1 million to support emerging leaders and community-led solutions to address economic disparities

U.S. Bank Foundation invests $1 million to support emerging leaders and community-led solutions to address economic disparities

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Bank Foundation today announced a $1 million investment to 20 nonprofit organizations driven by a diverse group of exceptional emerging leaders who are focused on creating effective community-led solutions to the increasing economic disparities.

Getting Former Prisoners Back in the Workforce [Video]

It can be hard for people to find employment because of their past mistakes. However, this nonprofit helps citizens get back on track with the tools they need to find work.

#MLKDay Series 2021: Destiny Fordham

Destiny FordhamSenior Associate, Diversity & InclusionCEO Cincinnati

#MLKDay Series 2021: Joseph Langdon

Joseph LangdonParticipantCEO Cincinnati

#MLKDay Series 2021: Erica DiMartino

Erica DiMartinoBusiness Account ManagerCEO Cincinnati

Keybank Donates $300,000 In COVID-19 And Social Justice Support To Central And Southwestern Ohio Nonprofits

Picking up trash on Ohio's highways, interstates is never-ending work

Helping ODOT in cleanup efforts are inmates at the Lebanon Correctional Institution and workers from the Center for Employment Opportunities. “That is a tremendous benefit to us. It saves time, money, puts our manpower to work to maintain the roadways, repair the roadways,” said Fuller. "When you’re looking at the ...

C.E.O. Works battles the prison-to-poverty pipeline in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - In Cincinnati, there's a new program working to end the prison-to-poverty pipeline. The goal is to help people formerly incarcerated find housing and work. In just one year, C.E.O. has helped 196 people. Patrick Guggino is one of them.