The Dannon Project
Monthly E-Newsletter

 Please take a moment to consider our purpose  

and give generously to support the work that  

The Dannon Project does.

    



Welcome!

 

Thanks for tuning in monthly to stay abreast of our participant's successes. Our participants are working diligently to achieve their goals and and we are thankful for supporters like you who stand with us to cheer our participants on as they focus on daily achievement of success. 

 

Thanks,

The Dannon Project

 

P.S. One mission...One life at a time 

Department of Justice (DOJ)
ACER City Reentry Program

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Second Chance Act funds the ACER City reentry-mentoring program. The DOJ team consistently goes above and beyond the grants original expectation to serve 100 participants - 75 from the Municipal Courts and 25 from the Birmingham City Jail. The team includes the Birmingham Police Department, Municipal Courts, Birmingham Weed and Seed, the Birmingham City Jail, the Birmingham Mayor's Office and The Dannon Project.

 

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We have exceeded our goal to enroll 100 participants by enrolling 141 participants - 113 from Municipal Courts and 28 from City Jail as of August 2011. In August, ACER City conducted 10 orientations and enrolled 17 new participants. TDP helps participants by providing case management leading to ongoing assessments, career management, job preparation and employment placement and tracking, education, training, certification, and volunteer service. Participants receive supportive services to address barriers, which will assist them with achieving their goals. In the month of August, we provided 17 participants with medical health care referrals to our partner, Birmingham Health Care, 6 participants with clothing through our partner, Clothing Connection, 8 participants with vision screening and eyeglass assistance through UAB, 22 participants were supported with transportation services, 6 with housing assistance through TDP Housing Coordinator and 4 with employment.  

 

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Birmingham Weed and Seed (BWS) coordinate our ACER City Mentoring services. The BWS team coordinates outreach, marketing, training, mentor matching and tracking and recruitment of community residents that have a passion to help others through forming a mentoring relationship.  The mentoring partners assist TDP to achieve its vision to provide "Second Chances". Through this mentoring program, participants have an additional person to call to expand their support system and it also gives them someone they know they can trust and depend on when they want to talk. We are always looking for new mentors. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a mentor, email Holly Hollis- Holly@dannonproject.org. 

 

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 *Dannon Star*

 

Mr. Boddie was referred to the Dannon Project Birmingham "Second Chance" Department of Justice (DOJ) Mentoring program on March 3, 2011 through the Birmingham Municipal Courts. He completed the Success Lab in May where he received life skills and financial literacy skills, prepared his resume and attended Mock interviews to prepare for his job search. He enrolled in the Skills Training Program (STP) in June, where he worked at Faith Chapel to provide recovery and warehouse services to the tornado victims who were getting their lives back on track. He is now working at Star Insulation as a general laborer and is delighted to be given this wonderful opportunity. He has been matched with his own mentor through the Birmingham Weed and Seed Mentor Coordinator and he speaks with his mentor weekly. Congratulations to Mr. Boddie as he will be in the first Department of Justice (DOJ) Mentoring program graduating class this October.

JC-WIA Youth Program

 

We are thankful that great opportunities for achieving success are available in our community to support pregnant and parenting youth. These opportunities remove our "excuses" for why our youth cannot succeed any longer.  Change is a "process" and not an "event" and we say to our youth "Yes You Can Achieve Success Now In This Time and We Are Delighted to Be Part of Your Success Team".

 

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The Department of Labor (DOL), awarded The Dannon Project a Young Parents Demonstration Project that will expand the number of slots available to youth ages 16-24, who are pregnant or parenting, in school and out of school, to 400  male and female eligibile youth over twenty-four months. Two hundred of the participants will be matched with trained mentors for an 18 month period while receiving the stepped up level of services and the other two hundred participants will receive the basic level of services available to all youth participants. Through the demonstration project, the DOL will determine what impact having a mentor makes on the participants outcomes compared to those who do not receive a mentor.

 

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Prior to this new DOL funding, the local JC-WIA Workforce TDP funding provided short term allied health training opportunities leading to national certifications, job prep and placement, life skills, financial literacy, Character Counts, HIV Series, Integrity in the Workplace, Smoke Free Living, Pathways Out of Poverty, Community Service, Parenting Assessment and Training, peer to peer mentoring, case management and supportive services and follow up services. These services are currently available to 17-21 year old pregnant and parenting youth who meet JC-WIA eligibility. We are excited about this expansion of resources, which will allow us to serve more youth and their families to plan for and achieve success in their lives. The program also expands our training to include construction/green job training opportunities in partnership with the local CEFA program. Other partners include the local JC-WIA Workforce Office, DHR Food Stamp Program, Child Support, JOBS program, Family Courts, Jackson Olin Young Mothers Program to name a few.

 

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If you know any 16-24 year old pregnant or parenting youth, both males and female, who could benefit from the short term training and certification services and job prep and placement, please have them to contact our office at 205-202-4072 to complete an application for this dynamic program that we know will impact our community for generations to come. Also, if you would like to serve as a mentor, please complete an application for consideration for training and placement to work with a youth for 18 months.
 

 *Dannon Star*

 

jasmine johnson 

 

Our Dannon Youth Star for September is Ms. Jasmine Johnson. Jasmine has achieved a great deal within 7 months and we are very proud of her commitment to set her goals high and see herself reaching them. She enrolled into TDP Allied Health Youth Program in February 2011 and successfully completed the Pharmacy Tech occupational training in May 2011. Jasmine is preparing to take the Pharmacy Tech exam and believes that it will open many doors for her.  She also enrolled into TDP's GED program and received her GED on July 27, 2011. Jasmine has since enrolled into Lawson State's Nursing program to become a registered nurse to further her education. Jasmine has a two-year-old daughter and is confident that as she furthers her education it will provide future opportunities for both her and her daughter to achieve success. Jasmine will be looking for a part-time job while enrolled in Lawson.  

Homeless Prevention Rapid
Re-housing Program (HPRP)

 

The Dannon Project's Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) continues to restore lives of individuals and families dealing with financial hardship due to job loss or economic hardship that prevents homelessness.  The HPRP program can provide financial assistance for up to 18 months to qualified participants, as well as financial counseling to assist participants to become stabilized and remain in good standing with their landlord and utilities. HPRP assists participants with rent and/or utilities to stabilize their household. In the month of August, we processed over $3,400 in rent through Jefferson County.  We also processed $5,300 in rent through JCCEO for August. Our HPRP case managers assist clients to create plans to help get them out of financial distress and back to stabilization! 

 

*Dannon Star*

 

crystal lomax 

 

Our Dannon HPRP Star for the month of September is Ms. Crystal Lomax. She enrolled into TDP's HPRP program in June 2010. At that time she had two sources of income, one of them being her own catering company. After experiencing job loss from her previous employer and due to the April tornado devastation, she lost several catering contracts. Once she received new employment with Citizen's Pharmacy, then we were able to assist her with her rent and utilities. Currently, Citizen's Pharmacy is only a part time position. Ms. Lomax is still seeking a full time position and hopes one becomes available soon. In the mean time, her catering business is also picking back up since the storm. While being a single mother of two sons, Ms. Lomax is determined to give her family the life they deserve. We are proud of you Ms. Crystal Lomax and know with your determination and focus that your future only holds success!


Department of Labor Reentry Program

In August, The Dannon Project's, Department of Labor, (DOL) REXO3 reentry program conducted 23 orientations and enrolled 20 new participants into the program which exceeds our enrollment goal. We provided several supportive services to our active participants. We assisted 20 participants to establish a medical health care home with our partner, Birmingham Health Care, 5 participants received clothing through our partner, Clothing Connection, 5 participants received vision screens and eye glass assistance through UAB, 4 participants received work supports, 7 participants received transportation assistance, and 19 participants received employment.

 

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We know that while education and job training are keys to a successful reentry that a participant must also receive supportive services such as the ones listed above to be physically and mentally prepared to take advantage of new employment and education, training and certification opportunities.

 

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Also during August, our DOL reentry program case managers made 3 prison visits to Bullock County Correctional Facility, Staton Correctional Facility, and Tutwiler Women's Facility. These visits allow TDP to make a presentation about our agency to share with participants how we offer our effective case management services and how these services can be an asset to their reintegration process if they enroll in TDP upon release. These visits often include over 100 inmates in attendance and allow our case managers to truly showcase the heart of TDP staff and the services that are available to eligible persons returning to Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama. 


*Dannon Star* 

 

mark crossley 

 

Mr. Mark Crossley enrolled in the DOL REX03 program in April 2011. Mark's Transitional Accountability Plan (TAP) reflected a need for a range of services available through the program including: housing, food, clothing, transportation assistance, and employment, healthcare and identification restoration to name a few. His Case Manager and the Career Readiness Coordinator worked as a team to coordinate reentry services for Mark.  Mark's career assessments indicated that he had work experience in carpentry, home repair, and general labor skills. He was assigned to the Success Center to begin the required training classes and to get assistance with creating his resume and to begin job searches for employment. . Right away, Mark received a referral for emergency housing at a local shelter. He obtained his State ID, a medical healthcare appointment and clothing. Within a few days, The Dannon Project housing coordinator placed Mark in more stable housing at the same time he was placed in the Skills Training program (STP) for training in disaster recovery while he worked in the afternoons completing the mandated training classes at the Success Center.

 

Before Mr. Crossley completed the 150 hours of skills training, he was placed in full time employment with a local construction company. He continued working this job and soon began employment with BYOB Automotive as a lead mechanic. Mark says, "this is the best job he has had in years." His employers are pleased with his performance and his work ethic. Mark was recently featured in advertising commercial for the company. Mark was so excited he could hardly share the news with his Case Manager. Since he enrolled in the reentry program, Mark has been pleased with his accomplishments. He now shares a house with a friend. He works 40 hours a week and enjoys watching sports when he is not working or tinkering around the house. He was assigned a mentor by the Birmingham Weed and Seed Mentor Coordinator to give him the extra support and encouragement he needs that can even further assist him and help him to stay on track as he puts his life back together. Mark admits that he would be homeless and living on the street and probably headed back to prison without The Dannon Project's help. He is grateful for the services that The Dannon Project team provided him to get him on a great path to achieve success. 
Career Readiness & Job Training

 

In August, 66 participants worked diligently towards achieving their goals in our Success Lab! Success Lab services not only prepare our participants for the workforce, but also help them build confidence in their ability to compete in the marketplace. Participants work on preparing to enter the work force by creating a resume, cover and thank you letters, completing applications both electronically and hardcopy and practicing interview skills during Mock Interviews.

 

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Participants also receive training in obtaining financial literacy and life skills and how to conduct employment searches. During the month of August, 26 participants received employment through our Job Development/Placement program. There were 7 participants enrolled in the Skills Training Program (STP) to gain additional skills to prepare to obtain successful employment. In August, 8 participants attended our mock interviews to practice their interview skills and become familiar with how to answer basic interview questions. We are delighted that 7 of our participants are studying to test for their GED and 10 are enrolled in college! Our participants are actively moving forward to achieve success to experience a brighter future for themselves and their families.

 

*Dannon Star*

 

zachary boykin 

 

Mr. Zachary Boykin enrolled into our ACER City reentry program on July 27th, and started at the Success Lab on August 1, 2011. Since then he has been very busy! When we first met with Zachary he expressed an interest in plumbing. We advised him of the training program at CEFA (Construction Education Foundation of America). This program offers industrialized certifications including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and Industrial Maintenance.  He was transported by TDP to CEFA where he completed an application and then was taken to WIA to complete eligibility and enrollment. Zachary passed his TABE test and will begin his plumbing classes on October 3, 2011 and he is very excited. While waiting for his classes to start, Zachary has been attending the Success Lab and has completed Financial Literacy, Life Skills, and Key Train certificates and a resume. He participated in August Mock interviews and the interviewer stated, "He was very well spoken and has great potential to succeed."  She also stated, "he has a goal and a plan for life and that is key" to achieving success. Zachary spoke with a former participant and stated, "this program is just what he needed." As long as he has individuals pushing him to continue in the right direction then he knows that he will be ok." We look forward to Zachary achieving the next milestone completing the CEFA program.

Job Development & Placement

 

*Dannon Star* 

TDP Job Development and Placement Dannon Star for the month of September is Ms. Latoya Green. Ms. Green enrolled in TDP's Department of Justice (DOJ) ACER City reentry program, on May 3rd, 2011. Her goals include finding better quality housing for herself and her 2 children and providing a brighter future. She knew that without stable employment that these goals wouldn't be possible. While enrolled in TDP, she completed financial literacy, life skills, and work place Success Lab certifications to make her more self-marketable to employers and broaden her education and knowledge. She also obtained employment through the Blackwell Group Home as a sitter. She would like to work on her Customer Service certification and enroll in TDP's Youth Careers Training program and receive her CNA certification. We continue to expect great things from Ms. Green!  

"Second Chances" Mentoring Star

 

Our Dannon Mentoring Star for the month of September is Mr. Walter Williams. Mr. Williams is a retired teacher who committed to serving as a mentor with our DOJ "Second Chances" mentoring program in March 2011. He was paired with one of our ACER City participants, Mr. Spurgeion Boddie, on April 15th. Since then, their relationship has grown leaps and bounds. The mentor and mentee talk two to three times a week and with the assistance of Mr. Williams's help, Spurgeion is currently working and they are also looking for him an additional part-time position. Spurgeion and his wife are now attending Mr. Williams's church, also. 

 

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When Mr. Williams's committed to serve as a mentor, his wife and grandson also committed to become mentors. These relationships show the true commitment that our mentors have to the program and the participant's willingness to have a mentor that will help them to make positive, life-changing decisions.

Hats off to Mr. Williams and Mr. Boddie for making the mentoring relationship a positive experience with good successful outcomes.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor to one of our Dannon Project participants, please contact Mrs. Holly Hollis- Holly@dannonproject.org to obtain a mentoring application.  

Birmingham Weed & Seed Spotlight

 

The City of Birmingham launched the Weed and Seed (W&S) concept over 14 years ago.  In 2002, the Birmingham - Northside Community Weed and Seed strategy launched within the neighborhoods of Norwood, Druid Hills and Central City as these were the first sites in the city to receive Official Recognition. In 2009, this site completed the site strategy objectives, received Graduated Status and re-developed the Weed and Seed operations structure to accommodate a multi-site jurisdiction.

The neighborhoods that are currently involved with the Weed and Seed strategy are: Brown Springs, Eastlake, Gate City, Oak Ridge Park, Woodlawn, South Woodlawn, Wahouma, Central City, Druid Hills and Norwood.

 

 A wide range of services exists to weed out problems and seed in good things in our community. CPR community policing activities include: foot and bicycle patrols, police mini-stations, victim referrals to support services and nuisance abatement programs.

Community mobilization is also important in community policing activities.  Birmingham - Weed and Seed community mobilization programs include:  Citizen on Patrol programs, Citizen's Police Academy program, Youth Police Academy program, CPR Drug Free Kids program, graffiti awareness forums, graffiti removal referrals to MOCA - Mayor's Office of Citizen Assistance, community safety fairs, community gang awareness forums and National Night Out observances.

 

Prevention, Intervention and Treatment

The prevention, intervention and treatment component of the CPR strategy focuses on neighborhood efforts to enhance protective factors while reducing risks, thus promoting wholesome behavior that can lead to good health, well-being and personal success.

 

o   Risk factors such as economic deprivation, family management problems, and early academic failure increase the likelihood that a child will develop health and behavior problems in adolescence.

 

o   Protective factors such as positive individual characteristics, bonding, healthy beliefs and clear standards set by parents and society reduce the impact of risk factors on children.

 

The prevention, intervention and treatment component concentrates an array of human services in the designated communities to create an environment in which crime and violence cannot thrive any longer.  Links among law enforcement and social service agencies, the private sector and the community must be strengthened to improve the overall quality of services to residents.

 

Birmingham - (Weed and Seed Safe Havens) are important elements of the prevention, intervention and treatment component.  They provide a mechanism for organizing and delivering an array of youth and adult -oriented services in a multiservice setting such as a school, church or community center.  All Weed and Seed sites are encouraged to have at least one Safe Haven. 

 

Activities conducted in the Birmingham Weed and Seed Safe Havens will vary from site to site.  They will include, but are not limited to community based services such as after-school tutoring, GED/Adult Literacy programs, computer training classes, performing arts training classes, Senior Health and Nutrition Talking Circles, CPR's Senior Shuttle Service, JCCEO  Energy Assistance Satellite Sites, 50 and Up Financially Fit Workshop, Food Stamp Program Application Assistance, Low-Income Home Repair Workshops, Womanhood, Motherhood and Beyond program, headquarters for neighborhood clean-ups, Fatherhood 365 Training and Mentoring program, substance abuse prevention/education and awareness forums, information and resource referrals.  Birmingham Weed and Seed has 6 safe havens within the targeted sites.

 

Weed and Seed is not a police oversight program.  It is a program designed to empower the residents of the targeted neighborhoods to take control of activities within their own living environment and build capacity for the community as a whole.  With that said, law enforcement is the vital component in this initiative.

Weed and Seed is overseen by its Steering Committee.  The Steering Committee has the responsibility for oversight and management of strategic goals and objectives, guidance on and resolution of implementation issues, coordination of standing committees, development of new committees and/or subcommittees, development and integration of policing and revitalization policies, approval of changes to the designated site strategic plan, approval of grant applications and adjustments.

 

Birmingham Weed and Seed has partnered with The Dannon Project for over 8 years in a number of programs and services involving ex-offender reentry.  The Dannon Project's Executive Director - Kerri Pruitt is a member of the BWS Steering Committee. We are currently partnering in the ACER-City Re-entry Mentoring program- Second Chances. Through this program we have asked community volunteers to commit to serving as a mentor to one of our participants for 1 year. The volunteers receive training to support the participants through this 1-year partnership, we hope that each mentee gains a friendship and support system to better assist their reentry into society. 
Get Involved
 
October 4, 2011-
1:30pm-3:00pm
Vet Fair Day
BHC Balcony
 
October 5, 2011-
1:00pm-3:00pm
Job Fair
 
October 6, 2011-
10:00am-1:00pm
HIV Aids Screening Day
TDP Office
 
October 7, 2011-
7:00pm
2nd Annual Xpressions Poetry Night
Seafood Delight
 
 If you would like to attend or become involved with any of these events, please contact Holly Hollis-
Holly@dannonproject.org
or 
205-706-4979

TDP's 
Green Ribbon Campaign

green ribbon

Details unfolding soon...

Please Support

Boyd Internal Medicine


2022 Brookwood Medical Center Drive #414
Birmingham, Alabama 35209-6807

(205) 870-7509
compass

The Dannon Project is now part of the Affinity banking and fundraising for non-profit organizations at Compass Bank.

If anyone would like to support TDP throughout the year, go into any BBVA Compass Bank and open an account. Please let them know that you would like to support TDP and give them our affinity code #92961. We receive $25.00 for each new account.

We hope to raise $5,000 by Summer 2012. 
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Contact Information


1600 20th St South, Ste B

Birmingham, Al 35205

 

By Phone

205-202-4072

 

By Email

holly@dannonproject.org