Are Education Programs for the Underserved Doing Enough?
Chris Etienne received top honors at Rutgers and went on to earn a Master's from Columbia University's world-renowned journalism program. Yet he still had trouble getting a job. In this month's guest blog, Chris looks back at the extraordinary challenges he faced, and how education programs for underserved communities--particularly aspiring scholars who've been incarcerated--can better support their students on the journey to independence.
Community Comes Through for Resident Jason!
Jason, one of the original FORTE House residents, has been working in construction as he pursues his masters degree. But after he successfully completed initial limited contracts, each construction company declined to hire him on a permanent basis after they'd conducted a background check--despite his proven technical skill, professionalism and teamwork. Finally, through relationships that FORTE House and its leaders have established, a neighborhood community action organization hired Jason to support their work enhancing local residences for safety and quality of life. We're all BETTER through COMMUNITY!
Another Helping Hand from a Supportive Neighbor
FORTE House has a new volunteer helping our residents locate permanent housing. Sharrah, a professional realtor currently working in Union, NJ, met Tia Ryans recently and was inspired by her work. And she offered to help FORTE House students who are ready to move on find safe, affordable places to live. We are so grateful to have generous and talented friends like Sharrah!
FORTE House Partners with HLK Crisis Intervention Hope, Love and Kindness
Earlier this year, we reported on a partnership with Planned Parenthood to provide health education classes to FORTE House residents, NJ-STEP students, the Center for Court Innovations, and Habakkuk’s Vision residents. We now have a similar partnership with Hope, Love & Kindness Crisis Intervention to provide two, four-hour professional development courses in December: one on Job Readiness and the other on Computer Basics. HLK has a strong history with this type of training; the organization was founded by a formerly incarcerated individual who now leads efforts to help other impacted individuals succeed. In the past, HLK has contracted with the Newark Board of Education to assist high school students in Newark, the City of Newark's Office of Violence Prevention the YMCA, Hands Up/Guns Down initiative, and others!
