{"id":10742,"date":"2023-12-01T22:06:25","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T22:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/01\/formerly-incarcerated-individuals-find-employment-support-in-oklahoma\/"},"modified":"2023-12-01T22:06:25","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T22:06:25","slug":"formerly-incarcerated-individuals-find-employment-support-in-oklahoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/01\/formerly-incarcerated-individuals-find-employment-support-in-oklahoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Find Employment Support in Oklahoma"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Non-profit organizations and employers in Oklahoma are working together to provide job opportunities and support for formerly incarcerated individuals.<\/h2>\n<p>Finding employment after incarceration can be challenging for many individuals. However, in Oklahoma, a non-profit organization called the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) has been successful in helping formerly incarcerated individuals secure and maintain jobs. Through partnerships with employers like Bama Companies, CEO provides not only job opportunities but also ongoing support to address the unique challenges faced by these individuals.<\/p>\n<h3>Creating Opportunities for Success<\/h3>\n<p>Bama Companies, a major employer in Oklahoma, has partnered with CEO to hire workers with criminal records. Out of their 900 employees, 40 have previously been incarcerated. Paula Marshall, the CEO of Bama Companies, understands the importance of not only hiring but also supporting these individuals to ensure their long-term success. She recognizes that custody issues and housing instability can be ongoing challenges for them. To address these issues, Bama Companies organizes fundraisers and grants to provide financial assistance to employees in need.<\/p>\n<h3>The Importance of Supportive Employers<\/h3>\n<p>In a state with one of the highest incarceration rates in the nation and limited state-run reentry services, employers like Bama Companies are rare. However, their commitment to hiring and supporting formerly incarcerated individuals is making a significant impact. The support provided by employers is crucial in helping these individuals overcome the barriers they face upon reentering society. By offering stability, financial assistance, and understanding, employers like Bama Companies empower these individuals to rebuild their lives.<\/p>\n<h3>The Journey to Employment<\/h3>\n<p>For individuals like Breeanna Jones, who works at Bama Companies, finding employment after incarceration was a daunting task. Jones had no idea how to navigate job interviews and secure employment. With the help of CEO, she received the guidance and support she needed to successfully reintegrate into the workforce. Jones worked her way up at Bama Companies, starting as a pie packer and eventually becoming a supervisor. Her success story is a testament to the transformative power of employment opportunities and supportive employers.<\/p>\n<h3>Overcoming Stigma and Negative Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>Formerly incarcerated individuals often face stigma and negative perceptions from society. Tiffani Shaw, who spent five years in prison, understands the challenges associated with reintegrating into society. Initially struggling with negative thoughts, Shaw found the strength to overcome them and secure a good job. She emphasizes that not everyone leaving prison is ready or willing to work, but for those who are, the opportunity to gain employment is a blessing. Shaw believes that individuals who genuinely want to improve their lives should be given a chance.<\/p>\n<h3>The Need for More Supportive Initiatives<\/h3>\n<p>While the efforts of organizations like CEO and employers like Bama Companies are commendable, Oklahoma still lacks comprehensive state-run reentry services. With one of the highest incarceration rates in the nation, it is crucial for the state to invest in programs that provide support and resources to formerly incarcerated individuals. By expanding access to job training, education, and housing assistance, Oklahoma can further enhance the chances of successful reintegration and reduce recidivism rates.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion: The collaboration between non-profit organizations like CEO and employers like Bama Companies in Oklahoma is providing valuable support and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. By addressing the unique challenges faced by these individuals and offering stability and understanding, these initiatives are empowering individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society. However, more comprehensive state-run reentry services are needed to ensure the long-term success of these individuals and reduce recidivism rates. With continued efforts and support, Oklahoma can create a brighter future for formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment and a fresh start.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Non-profit organizations and employers in Oklahoma are working together to provide job opportunities and support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Finding employment after incarceration can be challenging for many individuals. However, in Oklahoma, a non-profit organization called the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) has been successful in helping formerly incarcerated individuals secure and maintain jobs. Through [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10742"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10742\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buzz360news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}