Technical Assistance &amp; Capacity Building

How Jesse is Building a Legacy of Pride This Father’s Day

For the majority of his adult life, Jesse was caught in a cycle of incarceration, separated from the people who mattered most. When you are behind bars, fatherhood becomes a game of catch-up played through broken connections. For Jesse, the scariest part of coming home wasn’t the reentry process itself—it was the fear that his children wouldn't truly know who he was.

16 Jun

Protecting the Future: Ontario’s Mission to Shield Motherhood on the Job

Ontario still remembers the moment something didn’t sit right. He was taking an OSHA safety training course earlier this year for the Union Pre-apprenticeship Program offered through a partnership with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Buffalo. Ontario was scanning through the standard personal protective equipment (PPE) required on construction sites – hard hats, gloves, and harnesses. Everything had a purpose. Everything had a design.

1 Jun

Advancing Reentry Innovation in Arizona: A Partnership Between CEO and Arouet Foundation

CEO's partnership with the Arouet Foundation (Arouet) positions Phoenix as an important site for innovation, scale, and systems change.

28 May

The 100th Application: Jared’s Story of Not Giving Up

At 43, Jared’s entire life has been shaped by both privilege and struggle. He grew up outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in an upper-class family, and by his account, life looked normal and happy: school, family vacations, and the expected milestones. He went to college and earned a bachelor’s degree. But after graduation, the partying continued, and over time it deepened alongside disillusionment and mental health issues he says he did not know how to manage.

26 May

The Price of Honesty: Why California Needs the Fair Chance Improvement Act (AB 2095)

For the one in three California adults living with a past conviction, searching for a job is rarely a level playing field. Even when a candidate possesses the exact skills and work ethic an employer needs, the traditional background-check process frequently functions as an automatic barrier to employment. Under current loopholes in the state's hiring laws, qualified job seekers are routinely pressured to relitigate their pasts during interviews—long before a formal, conditional job offer is even on the table.

21 May

Rebuilding from Within: Damien’s Story of Healing, Patience, and Fair Chances

When Damien first came home after incarceration, life felt unfamiliar. “It was very unreal,” he recalls. “I struggled to find employment. People kept turning me down for basic things because I was fresh out. I had a record. I didn’t want to ask for help and I felt like I had to figure everything out on my own.” Like many people returning home, Damien faced barriers that went beyond employment. Reentry came with pressure, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of trying to rebuild while carrying the experiences of incarceration with him. At one point, it all became overwhelming.

18 May

Growing Up Behind Bars: Chad's Story for National Returning Youth Month

The quiet, tree-lined streets of Palmyra, New York, looked like the picture-perfect place to raise a family. It was an upper-middle-class small town where neighbors left their front doors unlocked. Outside the house, Chad was an energetic, athletic kid who loved playing every sport available. But behind closed doors, reality looked entirely different for him.

How Fair Chance Hiring and SNAP Can Make or Break Dion’s Success

When Dion walks through the east side of Detroit on his way to work, it’s not just another commute – the 56-year-old is walking on a sidewalk that he was never meant to walk on again; was hearing sirens that he was never meant to hear again. Dion served 38 years of a life sentence before being released from a Michigan correctional institution 14 months ago. His journey from an upper‑class childhood to incarceration, and now to a life of service and mentoring, is one of remarkable transformation.

SNAP Assistance

Stephen: A Father with a CDL Facing Background-Based Barriers

When Stephen talks about his hometown of Pontiac, Michigan, he lights up. “The whole block was family, man. We all grew up together.” Raised by his grandmother with ten siblings and countless cousins nearby, Stephen spent his youth playing basketball and hanging out in the neighborhood. After high school, he enrolled in community college to study HVAC – he came from a strong family where entrepreneurship was common, and he was encouraged to learn a trade.

From Local Trust to National Scale: How We Fuel the Reentry Infrastructure America Needs

Across the country, there are thousands of community-based organizations and employment social enterprises helping people stabilize, find work, and rebuild their lives.

From Access to Impact: The Real Test for Workforce Pell

Workforce Pell opens a promising new door for justice-impacted learners — but only if implementation expands partnerships with community-based providers, includes proven nontraditional programs, and measures success in ways that reflect where participants are actually starting from.

When Work Becomes a Risk: Why Congress Must Fix SNAP E&T Now

CEO's Sam Schaeffer makes the case for a simple congressional fix: stop penalizing people for earning training wages by counting them against SNAP eligibility — because forcing people to choose between food and opportunity undermines the very programs designed to help them succeed.

Income Support Isn’t Extra. It’s Infrastructure.

Participants who receive income support during reentry are more likely to stay engaged in programs, complete training, and transition into unsubsidized employment. They are less likely to rely on emergency services or return to the justice system. And they are better positioned to stabilize housing and support their families over time.

More Than a Background: Why Removing Barriers Is Essential to Economic Mobility

CEO's More Than a Background campaign tackles the hiring barriers and identification gaps that block returning citizens from employment — because fair chance hiring isn't just a moral argument, it's a workforce strategy.

13 Apr

Expanding Opportunity: Why Workforce Pell Must Work for All Learners

On April 8, 2026, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) submitted a public comment to the U.S. Department of Education on its proposed Workforce Pell Grant regulations. For the first time, students can use Pell Grants to fully or partially cover the cost of short term workforce development courses.

Policy Updates

10 Apr

Dewayne: Finding His Place in Healthcare at Evergreen

For Dewayne, the goal was always simple: find steady work, earn a living, and move forward. Growing up in Cleveland, he learned early that hard work was non-negotiable. Showing up, putting in effort, and staying focused were values he carried with him even when the opportunities in front of him didn’t match that level of commitment.

10 Apr

One Determined Mother’s Lessons on Succeeding After a Setback

Born and raised in New Orleans, Charbaney comes from a place that knows firsthand what it means to rebuild from the ground up. Today, the 39-year-old mother of four is now doing that herself – rebuilding her life.

6 Apr

How John Turned a Diagnosis Into His Turning Point

As a semi-truck tow driver for a major company in Kentucky, John spends his days hauling everything from box trucks to tractor-trailers to and from depots and garages throughout the Midwest. Today, he says it’s a job that he not only enjoys, but that also provides an experience he has dreamed about. “I’ve always wanted to travel on the open road,” John said. “Now I have a skill and a career that I can use to one day see the whole country that way.”

1 Apr

Meet Yessica and Danny: Game Plan for Opportunity

They both work at Bread & Cie. Yessica helped interview Daniel when he applied for a pastry position. She saw something in him — a strong attitude, a willingness to learn, and a sense of optimism. Daniel brought that energy to the job from day one. They may not work in the same department, but their connection shows up in how they move through the workplace. They both root for the Seattle Seahawks. They both work hard. They both show up with a positive attitude. They both believe in helping others and doing the job right.

From the Field

1 Apr

Meet Michael and Jose: Game Plan for Opportunity

They work together at Bread & Cie. Jose leads the delivery department. Michael is part of his team. Michael roots for the Cowboys. Jose stands with the Eagles. They don’t always talk about football, but at times — especially early in the week while loading trucks — there’s a quick recap of games, big plays, and tough losses. It’s a small moment of connection in the rhythm of the workday. But the real teamwork shows up before kickoff.

From the Field

1 Apr

Meet Melissa and Jeffery: Game Plan for Opportunity

They work together at Construction Junction, a building materials store in Pittsburgh. She roots for the Steelers. He proudly backs the Ravens — and occasionally the Commanders. When those teams play each other, there’s plenty of friendly back-and-forth in the store. A little rivalry keeps things interesting. But what they share goes far beyond football.

From the Field

13 Mar

Marine Vet is Winning His Toughest Battle Yet: Andre’s Life Post-Incarceration

It took Andre 63 years to finally get to this place in his life: a quality job, stable housing, a reliable vehicle, strong relationships, and a healthy mind, body, and soul. While this may be a less-than-exciting yet important goal for most Americans, for people with a substance use disorder, having basic necessities and living a balanced life can be a tremendous challenge.

10 Mar

Angel’s 24-Year Journey to Meaningful Work

Every day, Angel helps unhoused individuals navigate some of the hardest times in their lives. As a behavioral health peer specialist for Sacramento County’s Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART), he connects people to food, medical assistance, and mental health services, and helps them find housing and shelter resources. Most importantly, he shows them that change is always possible.

9 Mar

George’s Next Chapter Is Union Strong

Today, living in a new apartment and working multiple part-time jobs, George is finally able pursue the career he gave up years ago and begin studying to become a certified member of his local carpenters' union. The union specializes in diverse construction projects, including commercial construction, scaffolding, pile driving, and historic renovations throughout Louisiana. Working for them will provide the kind of job security George says he has always wanted and needed.