Reentry Works

Employment stands as the foremost contributor to diminishing recidivism rates, underscoring how joblessness remains a key predictor of reoffending. Throughout the nation, organizations and advocates for justice reform have played a pivotal role in changing public perception and the narratives for justice-involved individuals, leading to what today is designated as Second Chance Month.

We received $4.8 million to support our Reentry Works services from the California Workforce Development Board.

Nashid Mateen has held a variety of job positions, from working at Jack in the Box to working as a medical biller, over his life. Following a twisted turn of fate, Nashid found himself involved with the justice system. Now released, Nashid is on a journey to finding his place in the workforce with the help of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Reentry Works services and other community partners.

Each April, to support justice-involved individuals, the Department of Justice celebrates Second Chance Month. Second Chance Month recognizes the importance of helping individuals, communities and agencies across the country appreciate their role in supporting the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year

The virtual P2E Summit: The Future of the P2E Grant Program took place on March 1, with contributions from the San Diego Workforce Partnership staff and participants. Much of the conversation was focused on the COVID-19 related changes of the grant and what grantees can anticipate for future work.

Kitchens for Good graduate Charla Walls shares her story in her own words: “I now believe in myself and my past bad choices are no longer a hindrance to me, they are just my past. My future is now bright—I can clearly visualize myself growing in the field.”

As part of our continuous learning and improvement of our programs and projects, the San Diego Workforce Partnership held our first ever Reentry Works Town Hall to hear from community stakeholders how best to create a release for proposals for approximately $2M in funding to serve current and formerly incarcerated individuals throughout reentering back to the community. Approximately 75 attendees engaged in a community conversation on creative solutions to solicit high-quality applications.

Following the first ever job fair held inside a San Diego County jail at the East Mesa Reentry Facility in 2017, in April we coordinated the first ever job fair inside a state prison located in the county—the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility—as well as a preparation event.

The U.S. incarcerates people at a higher rate than any other country. What’s more, within three years of release approximately two-thirds of the formerly incarcerated are rearrested and sent back to prison. On February 20, The Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement at The San Diego Foundation hosted the San Diego premiere of “Beyond the Wall,”  a documentary following five formerly incarcerated men as they attempt to rebuild their lives on the streets of Massachusetts.

On September 1, Governor Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown was joined by state and local corrections officials and other leaders for the 2017 San Diego Employer Forum at the Jacobs Center. The event was co-hosted by the California Prison Industry Authority