RE-ENTRY TRAINING

RECONNECTING TO COMMUNITY

More Than a Career, a Second Chance

Across the LA Basin, thousands of people who have served time encounter serious barriers to finding work — and finding their place in their communities. Individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system often face limited housing options, gaps in education and work history, and mental health issues. The LA Basin Workforce Network (LABWN) is collaborating with partners across the region to remove the obstacles that prevent meaningful employment for people with justice system involvement. More than connecting people to careers, we’re helping reconnect them to their communities.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

1 in 4

people are booked into jail
more once during the same year1

75%

of formerly incarcerated individuals
can’t find a job after release1

1,302

LA Unified School District youth
ages 16-20 are on probation2

OPENING DOORS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT

Partnering with the County Probation, State Parole, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) systems, as well as with community colleges, adult education, and non-profit organizations regionwide, the LABWN is working to identify high-growth career pathways with demand for skilled workers, and improving training opportunities in these fields for previously incarcerated job seekers. We’re also applying a holistic approach to help keep job seekers on track and out of prison, with a full range of support services aimed at overcoming additional barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.

MULTIPLE CAREER PATHWAYS

The LA Basin offers multiple high-growth career pathways with a growing need for workers. We’re helping prepare individuals involved in the criminal justice system with in-demand skills and work experience in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment industries that propel our region’s vitality.

PAID WORK EXPERIENCE

Through pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and certification programs that provide on-the-job training, job seekers have the ability to earn while they learn industry-specific skills. These programs lead to well paid union jobs with long-term security.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Individual case managers make sure each participant receives the multifaceted support they need to complete their training and secure employment. We connect participants to resources for housing, transportation, childcare, mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, interview clothes, and more.

FINDING AND KEEPING THE RIGHT JOB

Experienced staff assess the needs of each participant and help job seekers explore options to find the right training program based on individual experience, skills, and goals. More than job skills, participants develop life and work-ready skills that employers seek. Our goal is to connect every job seeker to a career they’ll want to keep and grow in.

SHARING THEIR SUCCESS

“I was literally on the brink of homelessness. I really don’t have the words to tell you what it meant to me to have so much encouragement and support when I needed it most. I finally have true stability in my life because this is not just a job, it’s a career.”

— Lorrie W.
Graduate of the Core Competencies Construction Program
and member of the Local 562 Pile Drivers Union

To learn more about re-entry programs,
call (310) 970-7700
1. Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2019. Prison Policy Initiative. March 19, 2019. Prisonpolicy.org.
2. Los Angeles Performance Partnership Pilot (LAP3) 2017-2020 Strategic Plan Serving Disconnected Youth, July 1, 2017.