Category Archives: education ex-offenders

Can you get professional license with a felony?

 Q:  I committed a b-felony arson in 2004 when I was having psychological issues from undiagnosed bipolar. I am clear and in college again, but I didn’t continue pursuing my psychology I started before the incident because I assumed I … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, job search ex-offenders, professional licensing ex-offenders, second chances

Finding a job with a felony: a success story

What does it take to get a job with a record?   When I teach, I allude to factors like  knowing your strengths, having a plan, dealing with setbacks and never giving up.  But it’s not often that I get an opportunity to show … Continue reading

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Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, education ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, job training, personal responsibility

Take a journey of hope

Today I’m over at Journey of Hope,  talking with host Rodney Mathers about, among other subjects: Answering tough interview questions How to handle gaps in your resume Whether recent discrimination lawsuits and action by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, hope for ex-offenders, inspiration, reentry resources, second chances, starting over

Helping women start over….

 I was happy to see  the National H.I.R.E. Network  devoted its 5th Annual Policy  Conference last week  to one of the most overlooked groups of ex-offenders. You guessed it  – women. The advocacy organization, which is dedicated to helping individuals with criminal records,  focused … Continue reading

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Filed under criminal records, education ex-offenders, homelessness, hope for ex-offenders, reentry, reentry resources, starting over, women ex-offenders

Is it time to go back to school?

A former student recently contacted me with news that he was returning to school.    Yay!   As I’ve said  before, gaining additional education or skills is a great way to  boost your value in the job market.  Particularly these days,  when a surplus of applicants means employers … Continue reading

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Filed under adult education, education ex-offenders, job search ex-offenders, job training, second chances, starting over, training ex-offenders, training for ex-offenders, unemployment

Just out: a nationwide guide to reentry programs

If you’re looking for help starting over, you might want to check-out this great new guide reentry programs. The searchable database was the brainchild of  the Council of State Goverments Justice Center with support from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the … Continue reading

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Filed under addiction and recovery, adult education, education ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, hope for ex-offenders, reentry, reentry resources, second chances, starting over, training for ex-offenders

Recognizing those on the front lines of reentry

If one of these folks  has helped you rebuild your life, this is the week to let them know.   And feel free to share your stories here. Over the years, I’ve volunteered in probation offices in both Indiana and Virginia,  doing interviews and presentence reports, … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, personal responsibility, probation and parole, reentry, reentry resources, second chances, sentencing alternatives, starting over, taking responsibility, Uncategorized

The humility challenge

A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space. — writer and feminist Gloria Steinem The student was a young woman, not long out of high school.  And she seemed extremely sure of herself, which might have … Continue reading

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Filed under breaking the law, companies hiring ex-offenders, education ex-offenders, ex-offender psychology, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, job training, reentry, reentry resources, second chances, starting over, taking responsibility, Uncategorized

Straight Talk: Blogger James E. Walker Jr. on the challenges of starting over

In 1977, James E. Walker Jr. was sentenced to 30 years in prison for what he described as the worst-crime imaginable. Three years ago, he was released a changed man, with a college degree in English and high hopes for starting over. But so far his reentry has been more difficult than he ever imagined as he discusses in this most recent Straight Talk. Continue reading

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Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, discrimination, education ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, Guest blogger, job search ex-offenders, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, starting over, Uncategorized

Ex-offenders: reducing the “fear factor”

I came upon great article about a community program in Enid, Oklahoma that helps ex-offenders get back on their feet.  Like most reentry organizations, this one aims to assist newly released individuals in getting their documents in order and obtaining … Continue reading

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Filed under education ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, goal-setting, hope for ex-offenders, reentry, reentry resources, second chances, starting over, taking responsibility