Pictured are Becky Redmond-Walker with Lamar Miller. The Milwaukee Reentry Network and the Center for Self-Sufficiency’s Healthy Relationship Program assisted Miller with his successful transition from the Marshall Sherrer facility.
The Milwaukee Reentry Network hosted its first job fair on Thursday, May 23 specifically designed around the needs of former offenders. The job fair followed the successful Employer Summit last fall hosted by the Milwaukee Reentry Network, which addressed some of the myths associated with hiring former offenders and educated employers about the benefits of hiring this often overlooked talent pool.
There are approximately 21,700 inmates in Wisconsin prisons and correctional centers, in addition to those being held in county jails. Also, about 67,400 people are currently on some form of court-ordered community supervision in Wisconsin.
All job candidates were pre-screened to ensure employers in attendance had job openings that matched the skills and abilities of the attendees. During the pre-screening process, offenders were also provided with effective communication and interviewing techniques. Overall, more than 150 job candidates and 9 employers participated in the event.
Several employers offered qualified candidates employment opportunities on-site at the job fair, which speaks to the success the Milwaukee Reentry Network is having removing barriers former offenders have in finding employment. One candidate who experienced success working with the Milwaukee Reentry Network is Lamar Miller.
“Lamar is very talented. He learned various skills in different trades while at Marshall Sherrer, a work release correctional facility in Milwaukee,” said Becky Redmond-Walker, Case Manager, Center for Self -Sufficiency. “I have been working with him for some time through our Healthy Relationship Program, which utilizes the Walking the Line curriculum to prepare offenders for successful transitions.”
Additionally, Ms. Redmond-Walker facilitates Reentry Resource Days at Marshall Sherrer where she provides Lamar and other offenders with job training and financial literacy classes. One major component of the program is developing a unified case plan with each participant to ensure a successful transition.
“My entire train of thought has been transformed,” said Miller. “The people I used to hang around, I can’t hang around those people anymore. I understand that working and getting a paycheck is the way to go. Since I’ve been working with Mrs. Redmond-Walker, I’ve obtained employment, and I have my driver’s license and car insurance.
I also plan to go back to school. It’s a new way of thinking for me. I have so many goals that I want to accomplish now. Because I had all of my challenges to successful transition addressed pre-release, I am confident that I will be successful now that I am released.”
The Milwaukee Reentry Network is a partnership made up of the Center for Self-Sufficiency, Wisconsin Department of Children & Families, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, U. S. Probation Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Community Services and the YWCA. Working together, these organizations have made the commitment to address the needs of the community to ensure former offenders are successfully transitioned back into society.
“Many of the individuals we work with require employment as part of their supervision rules, but face many obstacles in attaining employment,” said Angela Turner, CEO, Center for Self Sufficiency. “The Milwaukee Reentry Network decided to take on the challenges employers have with hiring former offenders for the benefit of the individual and the community.” New studies reinforce need to stop voucher expansion.