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REENTRANT SUCCESS:
Mr. Anonymous Is Doing Well, Happy At His Job
This is the kind of report we hear all the time: When 2nd Chance Indiana’s VP dropped by a location of one of our employer partners, Ed Martin Automotive, it wasn’t really about getting his car fixed. He was there to check in with a reentrant who, back in June, applied for a job through our website. Although he requested not to be identified, or to have his photo taken, his broad smile indicated his satisfaction with his position. In fact, Kathy Cameron, Ed Martin’s HR manager, says she is looking for him to move up in the organization. Not very long ago, this man would not have been able to get a job because of his history. Now he is a valued employee—Life changing! Not only that, he successfully recruited another reentrant to work there as well, demonstrating the reach that goes beyond just those who click the button to apply for a job on our website, 2ndChanceIN.com.
PICTURED: Anonymous reentrant with a great job and a promising future.
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MENTORSHIP:
Trusted Mentors To Assist 2CI's Job Preparation
Program For Student Inmates
2CI job preparation classes are increasing at the Marion County Adult Detention Center and Trusted Mentors is gearing up to provide more one-on-one mentoring for students. 2CI’s Scott Whiting recently met with Ed Witulski to go over 2nd Chance Indiana’s job preparation program, a seven week class that helps reentrants understand their own potential and value, as they consider their particular skills and what kind of work they can be most successful doing.
The classes for women are expanding at this time and Witulski says they have the mentors ready to work woman-to-woman with the new students. And, we already have a number of people who responded to the Volunteer Opportunity posted on our website. Says, Whiting, “It’s like the Lord has already set the table!”
PICTURED (LtoR): Scott Whiting, Vice President, 2nd Chance Indiana, and Ed Witulski , Mentor Match Coordinator, Trusted Mentors.
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BIG PLANS TO HELP:
IDS Looking To Hire
More Reentrants
IDS (Integrated Distribution Services) is a big company with a big heart for hiring reentrants, and, as a giant packing, shipping, and fulfillment company, it wants to open up more jobs to help reentrants become employees. So 2nd Chance Indiana's Molly Oliver and Scott Whiting, met with IDS HR folks, Dawn Kutruff and Christopher Corporan, with Calvin Houston, employment specialist at Recycle Force, to increase hiring justice-involved individuals and to assess the need for van transportation for those without affordable or reliable vehicles. Most reentrants need that help to get and keep their job, but soon, they've saved money for a car, and another reentrant can take that seat on the van. Getting and keeping a job shortly after release can drive down recidivism 90%, according to America Works Statistics and the Manhattan Institute.
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STOP THE VIOLENCE:
Groups Against Gun Violence Study Other Successful Efforts
Bringing people together who are supposed to hate each other can be a risky endeavor, but a Columbia University program, called Project Restore, does just that. Gang members meet their adversaries under controlled circumstances, and find out they can build bridges of understanding. 2nd Chance Indiana partner, Stop The Violence Indianapolis, is a major player in the Indianapolis Gun Violence Reduction Strategy effort, and works with Congregations United to Reduce Violence (CURV) in that effort. The group recently heard from former gang member, Jarrell Daniels, who shared his story of living in a violent neighborhood, having an absent father, losing his sister, and finding a way to change the trajectory of his life through the Project Restore program. Anthony Beverly's Stop The Violence Indianapolis, is working to bring Project Restore to our city, with the goal of saving lives and improving outcomes for many in our most violent neighborhoods.
PICTURED: A meeting between competitive groups organized by Project Restore.
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ARE YOU A LEADER?
Inmate Correspondence
Team Leader Needed
Our dear friend, Sara Cobb who has ably headed 2nd Chance Indiana's Inmate Correspondents Team, is retiring at the end of the year. We are hoping to find another wonderful volunteer organizer for this group who cares so much about encouraging those who live in prisons and jails.
Sara says the work requires about 4 hours per month, and the person will need to be comfortable with updating and uploading Excel spreadsheets, and communicating with potential writers via email and sending them provided information on how the writing process works.
Says Sara, "The greatest thing about this role is the honor and privilege of reading the letters from the inmates. They pour their hearts out and show great vulnerability by sharing their challenges."
If you are interested and want to talk to us about becoming the Inmate Correspondence Team Leader, please email us at info@2ndchanceIN.com, and put the words Team Leader in the subject line. Or, to apply for this volunteer position, click Here. We’ll be in touch!
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HOW DO YOU GET TO WORK?
Reentrants May Lose The Jobs They Need To Succeed
We have 11,000 reentrants coming out of incarceration in Indiana every year, and although 2nd Chance Indiana has succeeded in connecting many of them with good jobs, reentrants depend upon the van transportation program that takes them to and from work to keep their jobs, as most have no dependable or affordable vehicle to get them to work.
Like it or not, employers can’t waste time and money employing and training people who don’t show up every day, and many reentrants lose their jobs in the first week because of absenteeism, due to lack of transportation. Meanwhile, recidivism is in the 70% rate—why? Here’s why: Because 89% of people who are rearrested are not employed. The vans are the link between reentry and job security. Without them many will lose their jobs. Think about it: Everybody needs a ride. Read No Ride? No Job? Here!
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YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN UP TO PRAY:
Post Your Prayer Requests Here
Who needs lifting up? Who is in need of healing? Your prayer request doesn't have to be about a reentrant, because all our needs are important to God.
Prayer warriors are standing by waiting for your prayer requests. Anyone can pray and click to show someone has prayed. To enter a prayer request, choose a user name, and fill out a short form. You can post a prayer under your name, or be anonymous, it's up to you. You only have to fill out the form once.
While you're at it, please add a prayer for 2nd Chance Indiana's work to grow in 2025: Its life-changing job training programs, its developing state-wide job listing and job application website for those with a criminal record, and it's hugely successful van transportation program that takes people to and from work as they save for a car or other vehicle. We look ahead to the end of 2024 and the challenges of 2025 with great hope, and pray for your support and an understanding of the crucial societal impact these efforts produce. Sign Up Here! And please re-visit the page regularly so you don't miss new prayer requests!
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Why Support 2nd Chance Indiana?
2nd Chance Indiana's team works to reduce recidivism and rebuild lives through the dignity of work. In the process we believe that our efforts can also have a profound, multi-generational impact by reducing poverty, crime, and homelessness.
Our major focus is to assist the thousands of inmates returning to communities across Indiana after long-term incarceration. 2nd Chance Indiana provides mentored job training inside the correctional facility, and a jobs website for those with a criminal record, 2ndChanceIN.com, which is filled with job opportunities and support agencies to help reentrants get back to work, support themselves and their families, and contribute to the economic improvement of their neighborhoods.
How You Can Support Jobs for Justice- Involved Individuals
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Support For Reentrants After Incarcertion:
Since 2017 UNITE INDY, now 2nd Chance Indiana, has provided a free web-based system, 2ndChanceIN.com, that connects those released from incarceration with jobs offered by our 45 employer partners, willing to hire people with a criminal record and pay them a living wage.
The site also offers a huge network of support organizations that can help with housing, drug abatement, licensing, clothing and so much more.
A good job found quickly after release from incarceration drives down recidivism about 90%, according to studies. Unemployment is connected to poverty, a criminal record, and re-incarceration. Our poorest neighborhoods contain many who have not been able to get good jobs because they have a criminal record, but 2nd Chance Indiana not only connects them with jobs, it also provides van transportation to many sites to help those who do not have affordable or reliable transportation. In some neighborhoods of Marion County unemployment is extremely high and poverty remains the overwhelming cause of violence and lack of opportunity for children.
You can help us to help a reentrant today, Here! To know more, go to 2nd Chance Indiana now. There are a number of choices that are all secure and safe. By sending your fully tax deductible gift* now we can have a greater impact meeting needs in our community.
Many, many thanks!
*UNITE INDY dba 2nd Chance Indiana is approved under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) as a Public Charity, donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170.
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Corporate Partners
A big Thank YOU to our Corporate Partners for their unwavering support which makes it possible for us to provide our services at no charge to job applicants and employers!
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