CLEVELAND — Back in November, we first told you about Towards Employment, an organization that helps the disenfranchised get hired.
Recently, Towards Employment received a $3 million Department of Labor award to serve young adults and adults with former criminal justice involvement with training and access to jobs that pay a living wage.
The agency’s PACE program, which stands for Promoting Access to Credentials and Employment, will work to connect young adults to in-demand jobs (manufacturing, culinary/hospitality, construction, and IT) for free. The program prepares adults who've gone through the penal system and young adults who have a record, for careers in the workplace.
Joan Crosby, Senior Manager of the PACE program, says, “The main goal is to assist individuals with earning higher wages, maintaining that employment and advancing within their careers.” They also offer students help with housing or legal issues, providing equipment needed for their job, and getting a GED.
The agency also trains those who lost their job due to COVID, or are just low income. And they have a partnership with University Hospitals for graduates looking to start a career there, at $15 dollars an hour, with opportunities to advance.
“So it's not like we're just helping people find jobs,” Crosby explained. “We're helping people get into careers. So these are going to be long term.”
- Click here to learn more about how Towards Employment's Youth Career Services.
- You can also make a donation to Towards Employment by clicking here.
Editor's Note: The below story aired on January 20, 2021