Category Archives: inspiration

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

Leave a Comment

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

1 Comment

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

Another employer who gets it…

I’m caught up with other projects this week, but would be remiss in not posting this story about Eric Smith, a carpenter in St. Paul, Minnesota who has no qualms about hiring people with criminal records.  Why?  It’s been his experience that … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, employers hiring ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, hope for ex-offenders, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, jobs, jobs ex-offenders, second chances, skills, starting over

Will Tim Riggins be able to find a job after he’s released?

I usually try to keep my facts and fiction fairly separate on this blog.  But watching this season’s final  episode of “Friday Night Lights,” I was struck by how well the show captured the character of so many who end up serving time:  good people who’ve … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under breaking the law, companies hiring ex-offenders, criminal records, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, personal responsibility, reentry, second chances, taking responsibility

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

Leave a Comment

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

Don’t sell yourself short: any experience counts!

After posting for 31 straight days as part of WordCount Blogathon 2010, I know I’ve fallen off a bit this week.  Please  forgive me.  I’ve been catching up on everything I’ve neglected, and working on some more involved future stories. I’m … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under companies hiring ex-offenders, employment assistance ex-offenders, employment ex-offenders, inspiration, job search ex-offenders, jobs ex-offenders, resumes, Uncategorized

A lesson in owning up to your mistakes

“A man’s errors are his portals of discovery.” James Joyce, author Sports columnist Tom Boswell included this quote at the end of a column he wrote this week on the tremendous class showed by umpire Jim Joyce, after he blew … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under education ex-offenders, inspiration, offenders and sports, personal responsibility, second chances

More inspiration…blogathon style

I’m having a hard time believing that Wordcount Blogathon 2010 ends tomorrow.  I’ve  blogged for 30 straight days, something I wasn’t sure I could do when I agreed to take part in this crazy thing.  Looking back now, it feels like the time … Continue reading

6 Comments

Filed under ex-offender psychology, inspiration, life in prison, offender health, prison reform

Reentry in 17 syllables

Starting over is… one step more difficult than doing nothing, right? It’s official haiku day at WordCount Blogathon 2010.  Enjoy!

15 Comments

Filed under addiction and recovery, hope for ex-offenders, inspiration, reentry, second chances, starting over

A story of recovery and defying the odds

On weekends during the WordCount 2010 Blogathon, I’ve been trying to publish inspirational stories or newsy bits that might help ex-offenders, their families and those who are interested in assisting folks trying to start over. I came across this story … Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under addiction and recovery, ex-offender psychology, inspiration