U-turn Permitted program believes in second chances
For many people who have been involved in the criminal justice system, finding a job can be a daunting challenge.
Employers often discriminate against applicants with criminal records, and the stigma of incarceration can affect one’s self-esteem and confidence.
That’s why the North Lawndale Employment Network, a nonprofit organization that provides workforce development services to the North Lawndale community, created U-Turn Permitted, a free, eight-day job readiness training program for job-seekers with criminal convictions.
Part of NLEN’s plan is to reduce unemployment in North Lawndale by 10% by the year of 2025.
“We know that it’s going to take more than just our organization to achieve that goal, however we believe that the community is worth it,” Wilson said.
The U-Turn Permitted program has existed since 2001 and covers topics such as workplace ethics and etiquette, team building, conflict resolution, digital literacy, financial coaching, interview preparation, anger management and racial healing.
Participants also receive a professional headshot for their social media, a certificate of completion, a personal workforce coach, a personal financial coach, and access to job placement assistance and employer partners.
Jose Wilson, director facilitation and organizational learning at NLEN, said their organization believes in second chances.
“We’ve seen people who are out and they were hustling, selling drugs and doing other types of things who have decided to turn their life round, came through our organization and now they are business owners, homeowners, they own real estate, working high paying jobs,” Wilson said.
“We believe that everybody deserves second, third, fourth chance.”
He also added that the reason for anger management classes is the injustice many formerly incarcerated people face like wrong accusations, gun violence and racism.
“We recognize a lot of our participants who come through the door have issues around anger, but they have not been trained to identify that anger source and then actually to manage it,” Wilson said.
Wilson said that the program prepares people for jobs in transportation district logistics sector, construction, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The program has a partnership with CTA in which participants can get a job as a bus driver to move forward in the career. They also have opportunities with a local automotive company called Fast Lane.
The program is open to anyone 18 years or older, has any history of criminal legal involvement, tests negative for recreational drugs, attends an NLEN orientation session, and is willing to commit to an eight-day job readiness program.
The program is held once or twice a month in cohorts of 15 to 20 participants, who start with an orientation session, followed by an intake and assessment day, and then job readiness training. The program culminates in a milestone graduation ceremony, where participants are celebrated by their family, friends, and NLEN staff.
