Help for a Felon in Atlanta

I would like to say thank you first of for the words or encouragement.  I am located in Atlanta GA , I have a theft by conversion charge and I don't really know where to start as far as finding a job, the charge at this time is 5 years old. I am going back to school in Jan for Respiratory Therapy but in between the time I need to work because I have a new baby.  Do you have any advice, I have a back ground in the medical field, retail and tax preparation.

Angie 

 

Help for a Felon in Atlanta

Hello Angie,

Thank you for your kind words. The very first stop for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs should be the local One-stop Career Center.  In you area it is the Georgia Department of Labor.  There you will find many resources that can help you get a job or insight into where you can go after your training is finished.  Services there can help you to:

• Prepare a resume
• Organize Your Skills
• Know the Job Market
• Learn About Education and Training
• Develop a Marketing Package
• Tap Into the Hidden Job Market
• Talk the Talk: The Interview

Georgia Department of Labor
148 Andrew Young International Boulevard, NE
Suite 276
Atlanta, GA 30303


Georgia Dept of Labor



Another great resource for ex-offenders and felons is Goodwill of North Georgia. Goodwill operates a computerized training center that provides career alternatives for unemployed and underemployed people.  

Goodwill posts weekly listings of local job openings (often not found in the newspaper) to help connect job seekers with employment opportunities. We can also point you to other resources including those on the Web. 

This center also has its own staffing service that places their clients.  You can get more information here:

Goodwill of North Georgia Training Centers


I hope these resources are of help to you.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where can Ex-offenders Find Jobs

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

 Help for a Felon in Atlanta

Felon seeks job as a Nurse

My name is Elsie. I have never been to prison or the county jail. However, I face some of the same struggles. In May of 1999, I was foolish enough to allow myself to get in an altercation with a neighbor. You have no idea how many times I have wished I could erase those two minutes. That fight has made my life very difficult. I was convicted of a felony for a two minute fight with a neighbor. Now, I am having a very hard time finding a job.

I was a LPN then, and I still hold a license. However, I can not find a job.  When the employers see the felony for criminal trespass, I guess they think I'm
a criminal.  I have made some bad choices. No one made me attack that lady. What's sad is, most of the things I was accused of were lies.  I am not crying over the spilled milk. I'm just pleading for you help any way you can.

I am currently taking classes so I can pursue my RN.   I figured I had let that felony hinder me long enough. I am going after my dreams, BSN. Nevertheless, I sometimes fill a little discouraged. I have recently had to apply for welfare. I keep telling myself, " It's okay. Keep looking to the positive. Don't despair. Things will get better". But, the reality is some times I really want to cry. I am a nurse a heart. This is what I was meant to do. 16 years of providing care and I would love to continue. What's more, I like to earn my way. Welfare kicks rocks.

Please help. Do you have any advice?

P.S.

My recent struggle have made me take a very close look at myself. I needed some time to analyze and reflect. Wow. I have a completely different perspective life. I believe I have done a great deal of growth. I have over 1 1/2 years to reflect. My humility has increased, my insight has broadened, I feel a peace I haven't felt in quite some time. Now, if only I could loop this circle with employment, that would be great. So sorry for writing so much.

Plz
forgive. : )

Felon seeks job as a Nurse

Hello Elsie,

Sorry for you trouble. The good thing is that you still have your license and you conviction has nothing to do with your profession. As with many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs, you may have to approach the job search a little differently. First I suggest that you look into expungement or sealing of your record. That means that the conviction will only be visible to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies. To get more information about expungement in your state, you should contact your local legal aid office. You may qualify for free legal assistance.

Your difficulty may be a result of these tough economic time rather than your conviction. Employers tend to be more picky when jobs are less plentiful. I would apply for every position you feel qualified for. Even a blind man will hit something if he throws enough rocks. The best place to find job leads is your local One-stop Career Center. Each state has a network of centers that have employment, education, and training services all in one place. There are counselors available that will assist in preparing your resume and provide employment leads for open jobs in your area. There are no fees or charges for these services. You can find the nearest location of the One Stop Career Center in your local Yellow Pages or on the web at

www.servicelocator.org

Lastly, I often suggest to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to consider working as a temporary employee as a way of getting a permanent job. Temporary agencies are a great way to quickly get back into the working world. Many employers use agencies to try out new employees before hiring them. There are temp agencies that specialize in health care professionals. Good workers are hard to find. If an employer sees that you are hard working, punctual and fit in well, he may offer the job permanently.

The key to applying for temporary employment for ex-offenders and felons is to apply at smaller independent agencies rather than large national companies. Small independent agencies have fewer hiring restrictions than larger national companies and are free to hire anyone they feel that can help them. You can get a list of these agencies in your local phone directory.

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  Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Employment Background Checks: Know Your Rights

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Jobs for ex-offenders and Felons: Expungement of Criminal Records

 

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

Felon seeks job as a Nurse

Felon wants Job as Paramedic

 

Hi my name is Kelley and I stumbled upon your address via the website How Felons Can Get Jobs.   I am writing because I am looking to better myself in life. When I was younger I mad a lot of poor choices and now I fear they will affect my future. I am a recovering alcoholic/drug addict, and I have been sober for over 4 years. All of arrests in the past were alcohol and drug related. I have had unfortunately 4 DUI's. The last one being June 28th 2007. That was the night that my life changed for the better. I was arrested and charged with 3 felonies as well as 4 misdemeanors. Assault with a deadly weapon, evading, and possession of a controlled substance. The misdemeanors were DUI, driving on a suspended license and I can't remember the other 2. This was the most terrifying moment in my life and I made a commitment to change my life right then and there. I had bouts with sobriety in the past but this was my bottom. I knew I had to change and that is what I did. From that point on I have lived a clean and sober life, I attended a rehab voluntarily, I actively attend AA meetings as well. I also volunteer in my community. I strive to better myself in any way I can.

Now I am at a crossroads in my life. I am going to be 39 years old in October and I want to go back to school. I have a dream of becoming a paramedic and serving my community. This is a dream that I had when I was younger but I allowed addiction to steal it away from me. I don't want to live in fear of my past anymore. My wife and I are separating and I need to make a decision for myself. So my question is this: have you ever heard of anyone with a similar past like mine becoming a paramedic or even a firefighter. I am in California and I have looked into it. I was told that I could go to school, but I may not be able to get licensed. I also realize that with my age and my past, I may not be a good candidate. I am willing to do whatever I have to do to achieve my goals. I am willing to do the work to show that I have changed my life. I honestly feel that if I do the work then I deserve a second chance. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Kelley

Felon wants Job as Paramedic

Hello Kelley,

That's quite a story. I know of ex-offenders becoming firefighters. Paramedics and firefighters in many communities are separate entities. My understanding is that in California, some firefighters are paramedics Emergency Medical Services Authority. My suggestion is that you contact them to see if you are eligible to be licensed. You can find information as well as how to contact them here:

http://www.emsa.ca.gov/paramedic/files/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.pdf

I hope this helps.
and have to be licensed by the California

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where can Ex-offenders Find Jobs

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

Felon wants Job as Paramedic

Wife in Georgia wants to help husband get a job

Hello Mr Mayo,

I have been reading your blog and and suggestions in a desperate search to help my husband. He has felonies that are over ten years old and he still has a lot trouble finding a job. The last felony he got he was 19. He was a stupid teenager doing stupid things just like all of his other friends. His felonies are not violent or drug related, but that doesn't matter. I hate to say it but if you have any type of felony in the state of GA you are screwed. Your life might as well be over, unless of course you have loads of money at your disposal so that you can have them expunged, but that doesn't always work. Some employers still count them depending on what type of felony it is.

Felons are treated like garbage when comes to getting jobs. They want these people to pay for the crimes, but what lawmakers do not and will not accept is that they are perpetuating the crime problem in this country because there are not enough programs to help people that made a few mistakes in their lives and are trying to make right. It is so unfair. Their should be limitations on how far back employers can go on background checks. Also I think that if the felon was placed on parole or in a half way house for more than a year after their incarceration they should be evaluated and certified as to whether or not they are reformed. I think that it should be a program that the court system and the lawmakers work together on. There has to be some way to keep these people from having to resort back to crime. It is a burden that is placed on the family as well as the ex-offender. And someone needs to wake up and realize that people CAN change and that no one is perfect, and EVERYONE deserves a chance to have a good life and be able to provide and support for their family.

Frustrated Wife

Wife in Georgia wants to help husband get a job

Hello Wife,

I certainly can see that you are frustrated. You mentioned expungement and how it is an option only for those who can afford it. Expungement is a viable option for some ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. Fortunately you may be able to get help. You may want to try the Georgia Justice Project.

The Georgia Justice Project (GJP) combines legal and social services. Staff attorneys and social workers develop long-term relationships with clients who must make a commitment to rehabilitation before being accepted as clients. GJP helps clients during incarceration and helps to facilitate release on parole supervision. Individuals with criminal records receive assistance transitioning from prison to society and may be employed in the landscaping business owned and operated by GJP. Drug testing is a component of the GJP program and, if necessary, clients are assisted in obtaining drug treatment. 

Contact:

Georgia Justice Project
438 Edgewood Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30312
404-827-0027
www.gjp.org


If the GJP is not near you, perhaps they can provide information about free or nearly free legal services in your area. They may be also able to identify other resources and services near you that assist ex-offenders and felons in getting jobs.

I hope this helps.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Employment Background Checks: Know Your Rights

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: The Truth About Background Checks

Jobs for ex-offenders and Felons: Expungement of Criminal Records

 

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

Wife in Georgia wants to help husband get a job