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We woke up this morning to another jobs report - the monthly glimpse into the economy that tells us where jobs are being created, how many people are working or looking for work, what’s happening with wages, and more. Here at Osborne, where our Workforce Development team focuses on getting people with histories of justice involvement back to work, our own numbers are taking shape.
In the last three months, more than 150 people who completed our job readiness training found employment in jobs with average starting wages that are 20% above minimum wage. We offer paid internships, transitional employment in our own social ventures, pathways to union membership, and ongoing support to ensure success.
People with conviction records - mostly Black and brown people as a result of demonstrated systemic racism – can struggle to achieve employment goals. We support them at many points on the spectrum of justice involvement, including in correctional facilities as they prepare to return home, during parole supervision, and in youth development programs.
At a recent graduation for our Career Center and Prepare program participants, Khesan Smalls told the assembled group, “I’ve gained a lot of confidence in preparing for interviews … Osborne has been a bridge in providing me the resources that I need.” In fact, Khesan (right) joined us on a break from his new job at a Wall Street firm. He plans to attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Behind any jobs numbers, of course, are people whose success we celebrate. Osborne will continue to be a bridge that connects our participants’ hopes to sustained, gainful employment.
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