Reentry Employment

Employment and training is an especially important reentry strategy.  For those young adults on probation and parole, work can be the difference between success and recidivism: most individuals who re-offend, violate probation, or parole were unemployed at the time.  Measure Y has encouraged and supported varied employment strategies that have included specific training programs, crew-based work, transitional employment, and direct job placement. The theoretical framework is that clients come with varied experiences, skills and needs and therefore will require varied employment strategies to meet those needs and ensure success.

Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay

Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay provides transitional, subsidized employment experience for 35 young adults ages 18-24 on parole and probation. In addition, Goodwill provides pre-employment services that include, case management, referrals to high school/GED program, peer support and life skills groups, job preparation. Upon completion of the program, participants are referred to The Workfirst Foundation (America Works) for direct job placement into unsubsidized employment.
For more information, please contact Loni Turkette at (510) 698-7236.

Leadership Excellence

Leadership Excellence provides paid job readiness training for youth and young adults ages 16-25 on probation and parole. Each participant receives intensive job readiness preparation followed by paid internships with local community-based organizations. Other services provided include case management and group mentoring. Upon completion of the program, participants can be referred to the Workfirst Foundation (America Works) for direct job placement into unsubsidized employment.
For more information, please contact Saleem Shakir at (510) 267-9770 x307.

Mayor's Reentry Employment Specialist

The Mayor's Office receives funding for a Reentry Employment Specialist, who focuses on  enhancing opportunities for individuals on probation and parole to access career opportunities in the public sector, either directly with the City of Oakland or other public agencies or through priority hiring on City projects. The work involves a mix of direct service such as providing regular orientations to City employment and promoting policy changes such as “banning the box.” Please click here for a list of regularly scheduled presentations on "How to Access City of Oakland Jobs" at City Hall for the formerly incarcerated. 
For more information, please contact Isaac Taggart at (510) 238-6905.

Volunteers of America Bay Area, Inc.

Volunteers of America Bay Area, Inc. provides a crew-based transitional job experience for 35 young adults ages 18-35 on probation or parole. Program participants work, in collaboration with Public Works and Parks & Recreation, on projects throughout the City for 18 hours per week. In addition, participants receive job preparation services that include pre-employment education, housing assistance, substance abuse services and stress management and life skills training. Upon completion of the program participants are referred to The Workfirst Foundation (America Works) for direct job placement into unsubsidized employment program is an effort to break down the barriers to City employment for the previously incarcerated. Workshops on the steps to employment with the City of Oakland for those on probation and parole are offered bi-weekly.
For more information, please contact John Bailey at (510) 473-0500.

Work First Foundation (America Works)

The Work First Foundation (America Works), located in Downtown Oakland, provides direct job development and employment placement services to 100 young adults (under age 35) on parole and probation. Clients are provided with life skills and job preparation training that is no longer than 10 days in duration before being placed in employment at a minimum average of 30 hours per week making no less than the City of Oakland’s living wage after six (6) months of employment.
For more information, please contact Frank Davis at (510) 891-9100.

Youth Employment Partnership, Inc.

Youth Employment Partnership, Inc., located in the Fruitvale District, provides after school training and employment to 110 high-risk youth through “Career Try-Out” paid internships and job readiness workshops during the school year. During the summer, YEP offers employment training and paid internships to 85 high-risk youth (14-18) through the Mayor’s Summer Job Program.
For more information, please contact Michele Clark at (510) 533-3447 x309.
 
City of Oakland
Our Neighborhood Measure Y HOme