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YOUNG ADULT EX-OFFENDERS CAN GET HELP TRANSITIONING FROM PRISON TO WORKPLACE THANKS TO ARIZONA WORKFORCE ORGANIZATION
AWEE Kicks Off
Choices for Changed Lives Program
PHOENIX, Ariz. (November 20, 2007) -- Arizona Women’s Education & Employment (AWEE), Arizona’s premier workforce development organization, today announced the launch of Choices for Changed Lives, a new program designed to help young adult ex-offenders successfully transition from prison into the workplace and achieve a better quality of life. AWEE’s doors are now open to serve clients who wish to participate in this program, which is funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Choices for Changed Lives program targets men and women between the ages of 18-29 years who are exiting the state and federal (adult) prison system or have been released to the community within prior two months. AWEE has begun enrolling individuals and is working toward the goal of serving more than 225 individuals during the next 11 months.
“Too many young lives are lost to the penal system simply because recently incarcerated individuals can’t find a viable alternative to criminal activity once they return to their communities,” said Marie Sullivan, president and CEO of AWEE. “Released prisoners face a myriad of challenges in turning their lives around; including joblessness, which has been broadly linked to recidivism rates. Choices for Changed Lives will deliver a comprehensive and proven program of services that enables younger ex-offenders to gain employment and achieve the sense of dignity, self-worth and community pride that productive work can provide.”
Choices for Changed Lives is designed to address the critical social, psychological, familial and educational issues that beset many younger ex-offenders as they struggle to become productive members of their communities. Services include career counseling, work readiness training, case management, relapse prevention support groups for those contending with alcohol or drug abuse, assistance with finding and keeping a good job, and a wide variety of supportive services including help with transportation and childcare expenses.
AWEE is one of only five organizations in the country to receive the federal funding for the Choices for Changed Lives Program and will serve as the primary partner for social service delivery offering highly personalized support and a direct link into the communities to which the ex-prisoners are returning. This is a unique program as individuals can choose from among six agencies under contract with AWEE to receive specialized services. The partner agencies include faith-based and community organizations delivering services that include religious elements as well as secular services.
As the first step in the enrollment process, AWEE is now offering Choices for Changed Lives Program Orientations several times a week at locations throughout Phoenix and at prisons within Maricopa County and surrounding areas. Individuals and agencies are invited to call AWEE at (602) 223-4333 with questions or to call (602) 223-4351 to reserve a seat at an upcoming orientation.
While AWEE has served women, men and youth in their career development for nearly three decades, through a now completed Women Living Free (WLF) program and an ongoing Paths to Living Free (PLF) program, which continues to offer offered pre-and post-release reentry services to male and female felons.
Currently, more than 600 released inmates are thriving in their lives after prison as a result of help from AWEE and its subcontractors under these programs. The ex-offender population now comprises one-quarter of all individuals served by AWEE in two Arizona counties.
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