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What Philly-area CEOs think about hiring ex-inmates

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 02, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Connecting people coming out of incarceration with employment is crucial to helping them integrate back into society and not return to prison, but employers are often skittish about hiring people with records. Some argue the nature of their work is too sensitive to risk it, especially if employees work with sensitive data or law enforcement agencies. But employers in the Philadelphia metro region who have gone down this path often find it's worth it because the workers tend to be more loyal and stay longer in jobs, making for less turnover.

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How Baltimore Is Growing Its Tech Gurus From Scratch

Erick Trickey

October 19, 2017 |

Politico |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Only 12 percent of the STEM workforce is Black or Hispanic. Starting with Baltimore, one nonprofit is looking to change that. In 2013, the Digital Harbor Foundation converted a rec center into a home for after school programs introducing students to graphic design, 3D printing, and beyond. Using a "maker education" model, instructors prepare middle schoolers for a changing workforce, offer in-house employment for teens, and improve and diversify the talent pipeline to the city's vacant tech jobs. The classes, which are pay-what-you-can, are expanding kids' communications skills and creative thinking mindset.

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The New Co-op Helping Ex-Inmates Find Work—and Recover

J. Gabriel Ware

October 18, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Washington D.C. struggles with the highest incarceration rates in the nation that already imprisons more people than any other country in the world. But a few determined individuals, including ex-offender Juan Reid, are working to break the cycle by empowering former inmates to join their business cooperative, Tightshift, catered specifically to those reentering the system by providing job training and paid work, as well as critical emotional healing and support.

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Trading gangs and guns for a future

Michael Jonas

October 10, 2017 |

CommonWealth |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Unlike typical youth crime prevention programs, several programs in Boston target youth already involved in gangs and violence. Though more resistant to receiving help and staying on the right path, the youth have responded positively to the counseling, education, and jobs services offered by such groups as Roca Inc., College Bound Dorchester, and Operation Exit. All boast high retention rates and low rates of new criminal offenses. And all focus on fostering deep changes in lifestyles and community norms by offering real long-term incentives to change.

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'Some people believe disability is contagious': breaking down barriers in Mozambique

Lucy Lamble

October 10, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Mozambique

In Mozambique, people with disabilities face a series of barriers to success and independence, ranging from education to the workplace. In partnership with Young Africa, the international organization Light for the World is working to give people with disabilities the training and resources they need to make a living.

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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Two Generations at a Time

Dwyer Gunn

October 04, 2017 |

Pacific Standard |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Career Advance, and the Warren Village, are two anti-poverty programs built on the “two-generation model,” which “focuses on providing coordinated, high-quality services to both children and their parents under the umbrella of one program.” Prior efforts only focused on children. The approach seems to be a successful study. The Career Advance program found that sixty-one percent of participants earned a post-secondary credential after one year in the program, compared to just 3 percent of those in the control group.”

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Manufacturing in Massachusetts: : Teaching a Younger Workforce New Skills

Frank Dutan

October 02, 2017 |

The GroundTruth Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Despite heavy pressure, attending college is not for everyone, and a university degree no longer guarantees job placement; meanwhile industries like manufacturing are facing a decline in interested, qualified workers. Various initiatives in Massachusetts are implementing accessible job training programs, especially for minorities, that are helping to place people in manufacturing jobs that provide improved economic opportunity, while hopefully positioning the state for burst of industrial growth.

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The Future is Pittsburgh's To Lose

Bruce Katz

September 24, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh

In the future innovation and technology are only going to become more important to a city's status. Pittsburgh is making great strides by cultivating research, technology, and workers.

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How Ireland became a hub for female entrepreneurs

Odette Chalaby

August 31, 2017 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ireland, Dublin

Ireland has grown over 500 hundred small companies run by women owners and managers through a simple but effective peer mentoring scheme. Female entrepreneurs participate in monthly roundtable sessions led by some of Ireland’s most successful businesswomen. Last years’ participants had remarkable combined sales growth of 28% in six months. The idea is to expand women’s aspirations for their businesses, generate solidarity, and provide results-driven support from peers with proven success.

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A system of support: How Ontario sets its teachers up to succeed

Kevin McCorry

August 29, 2017 |

Keystone Crossroads |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Toronto, Ontario

Part 3 of the "Equity or Bust: Are Ontario's Public Schools a Model for Pennsylvania" Series: Ontario is widely lauded for its education system, celebrated for both high performance and relatively smaller achievement gaps between wealthy and poor students. One of the key factors to their success is rigorous preparation of and support for their teachers. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, struggles to find and retain educators.

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