Testimonials

• ReLeSe Story
• From Aspirant to Full Mechanic
• The Story of LS
• The Story of KS
• JR's Story
• In the Words of an N/ECCC Graduate
• From High-heeled Shoes to Steel-toed Boots
• Urban Homeowners and the "American Dream"
• Robert's Story

 ReLeSe Story

"Thanks to the ReLeSe program for whom help to clear my criminal record. I am now able to apply to jobs and not worry about my past criminal history hindering me from getting that job. When I first heard about the ReLeSe program during Orientation with Unemployment, I was interested in seeing what it had to offer. So I talked with a Rep from Unemployment. She faxed over my info to ReLeSe and to my surprise a lawyer called me within two weeks. The lawyer was very professional and efficient and she made sure that I understood what was going on and approximately how long it would take before my record would be clear. Before having the ReLeSe program clear my criminal record, I was not able to get a job that gave a background check nor was I able to apply to any good companies. Because of ReLeSe I now have a job with Verizon who uses a very thorough background check."

Thank You ReLeSe

ZJ
ReLeSe client

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 From Aspirant to Full Mechanic

Graduates of our Newark/Essex Construction Careers Consortium have excelled in the building trades. Three of the journey persons and one fourth level apprentice entered the trades as teenagers right out of high school, and two were raising families when they started. They have now purchased their homes in Newark.

Entering a construction trade as a first year apprentice is a highly competitive process. There are usually 10 applicants for every apprentice slot available. Full mechanic or journeyperson status is achieved after 3-5 years of work and study as an apprentice. We celebrate our graduates who have achieved or are near achieving this important goal. The construction industry underwrites the cost of the 3-5 year apprentice period. These journeyworkers are proof that the industry's investment has paid off!

(-Annual report 2007)

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 LS

Making Newark home again LS first sought assistance with his job search at New Careers in May 2007. With numerous non- violent criminal convictions resulting from a 15-year struggle with addiction, LS could not work in the career he prepared himself for: construction trades. LS completed the program's 1-week orientation and 12-week transitional job with the Newark Neighborhood Services Division. Immediately after, he transitioned into unsubsidized employment working for a refuse removal and recycling company. Though he has not yet landed the substantial, long- term job, LS has become an active member in Newark. Since July 2008, LS has worked part-time with a local, organic food co-operative providing customer service to its members who come from throughout the city including the offices of City Hall, LPCCD, and NJPAC. He also works part-time at the Prudential arena where he helped to open the NJ Devil's 2008 season as an employee of Centerplate. Currently he is involved in GANE's efforts to create green collar jobs through residential weatherization work in Newark. Despite disappointments in his employment goals over the past two years, LS story of determination to become an active and engaged citizen and member of his family is a true reentry success.

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 The Story of KS (New Careers)

For the first time in 30 years, in 2007 Newark's summer recreation centers opened on time. New Careers participants helped to make it happen. The Director of the Division of Public Buildings for the City, said, "I am thrilled to give people coming home to Newark an opportunity to be part of the City's effort to create safe havens in their community." KS was part of the work crew who repainted the interior and exterior of two different centers. Despite her 15 years as an experienced painter, KS found it difficult to find work after coming home. KS joined New Careers four months after she left prison and began her short-term work with the City in June 2007. After completing the transitional work KS was hired as a painter by a local painting company, developers of residential and office space in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

(-Annual report 2007)

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 JR's Story (New Careers)

JR is a 42- year-old woman who was referred to the New Careers Project from one of our community partners in Newark. Prior to being accepted into the Institute's program, JR had been unemployed for 20 years. She served 18 months in prison, and suffered from a decades-long addiction to drugs. With so many societal odds against her, this enthusiastic and persistent woman demonstrated tremendous skill in navigating through the welfare and housing system as a result of her desire to live independently and productively in society.

The New Careers model worked for JR. She successfully completed her transitional employment phase and obtained a full time permanent position in the Food Service Industry at a local university. JR has been employed for 4 months, and has received a promotion, in her career and in her life.

(-Newsletter Spring 2007)

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 In the Words of an N/ECCC Graduate

"It was life changing. When I look at all of the things I've been through in my childhood and what I saw my peers go through, for me to be here is almost a miracle. Last year, I didn't know where I was going to be. I was born in Newark and it's good to think I will get a chance to actually work in Newark, to sit back and watch the things I'm helping to build, build the city."

- Roscoe Houston (Annual Report 2005/06)

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 From High-heeled Shoes to Steel-toed Boots

MB, a 38-year-old mother of twins, was downsized from her job in corporate America. After months of unemployment, she was still unable to find steady work as a data processor. She and her preteen children lived with a series of relatives. The Newark/Essex County Construction Careers Consortium offered something completely different-a shot at the construction trades. After completing the N/ECCC program, she was accepted into the Steamfitters Local #475, the first African-American female member in the history of the local. MB is now a sought-after worker. "I never thought that I would be able to earn this type of income, since I couldn't go to college," she says. "My future has never looked so bright!" As a member of the steamfitters, she earns $18 per hour plus full health, pension and other benefits.

(Annual Report 2004)

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 Urban Homeowners and the "American Dream"

When the Institute became involved in her case, Beatrice was a 74-year-old African-American woman who had lived in her home in Newark for more than 40 years. She owned her home free and clear. She was targeted by a home-repair contractor who convinced her to undertake home repairs that were eventually financed in an amount exceeding $46,000. The home repairs were defective and were later established to be worth less than $5,000. Even worse, despite a virtually unblemished credit record, Beatrice loan carried high fees, an excessive interest rate and difficult repayment terms. Predictably, Beatrice had trouble making her payments. The lender sought to foreclose, claiming among other things that it had no legal obligation for the contractor's misdeeds and should be able to proceed even if Ms. Troup had been victimized. Beatrice was on the verge of losing her home. Working with Beatrice's attorney, the Institute intervened with the New Jersey Supreme Court and ultimately argued in front of the New Jersey Appellate Division. In a landmark decision, the Appellate Division determined, for the first time by any appellate court in the country, that predatory lending could violate federal and state civil rights laws and that a creditor could not proceed with foreclosure in such circumstances. As a result, Beatrice was able to keep her home.

(Annual Report 2004)

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 Robert's Story

"My name is Robert. I am 42 years old. I have not lived a perfect life. Substance abuse and some poor decisions resulted in twelve years in prison. These years were extremely hard on my wife and children and I worried every night about what I would be able to do when I came out. I knew the difficulties that I would face getting a job with a criminal record. My parole officer told me to visit the NJISJ's construction careers program. I was doubtful but when I did, I found that the program could lead to real skills and a wage that would support my family. The program tried to get Newark people into all of the big construction projects going on around town. I was accepted into the program. I never missed a day. I shared my experience with the younger members of the program in the hope that they could avoid some of the mistakes that I made. After I graduated, I was accepted into the Roofers Union Local 4. When I was in prison, I was afraid that the only work open to someone like me would be the same stuff that got me in trouble before. Being a roofer is hard work but it is honest work. It provided me with the first real pay check that I have ever received in my life. I felt proud to show that check to my two sons."

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