From The Field

They both work at Bread & Cie. Yessica helped interview Daniel when he applied for a pastry position. She saw something in him — a strong attitude, a willingness to learn, and a sense of optimism. Daniel brought that energy to the job from day one. They may not work in the same department, but their connection shows up in how they move through the workplace. They both root for the Seattle Seahawks. They both work hard. They both show up with a positive attitude. They both believe in helping others and doing the job right.

They work together at Bread & Cie. Jose leads the delivery department. Michael is part of his team. Michael roots for the Cowboys. Jose stands with the Eagles. They don’t always talk about football, but at times — especially early in the week while loading trucks — there’s a quick recap of games, big plays, and tough losses. It’s a small moment of connection in the rhythm of the workday. But the real teamwork shows up before kickoff.

They work together at Construction Junction, a building materials store in Pittsburgh. She roots for the Steelers. He proudly backs the Ravens — and occasionally the Commanders. When those teams play each other, there’s plenty of friendly back-and-forth in the store. A little rivalry keeps things interesting. But what they share goes far beyond football.

At the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Pittsburgh, we know that strong partnerships with local employers are vital to creating real opportunities for our participants. Today, we're thrilled to highlight our incredible partnership with Construction Junction (CJ), a pillar of fair chance employment and community empowerment in Pittsburgh.

On May 16th, 2025, American Eagle and Pittsburgh Cares teamed up with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Pittsburgh for a meaningful day of service, assembling care packages for individuals transitioning back into the community due to reentry after incarceration. We spoke with Ken from Pittsburgh Cares, a dedicated community leader, about the deeper impact of volunteerism and the importance of small acts of kindness.

In the bustling streets of Philadelphia's Germantown area, a remarkable partnership recently unfolded between the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and Mayor Cherelle Parker.