Felon in Colorado needs a Job and Assistance

Mr. Mayo,

In the last several months I have had the opportunity to become intimately aware of the financial, psychological and emotional distress, frustration, fear and decreased self esteem of someone who has re-entered regular population from incarceration and is incapable of finding employment that they can survive on because they have a felony. They may have terrific skill sets that are not being utilized in their communities but instead are relegated to flipping burgers or manual labor positions that they cannot sustain themselves or a family on .  I am heartbroken by the dilemma they find themselves wanting to make that change for the better but the whole system is still stacked against them. Some might say rightfully so since they committed a crime to begin with but should everyone be in jail the rest of their lives even after their actual sentence is complete with no ability to show that they have learned and want to become productive in society?
The particular person I came in contact with is homeless, living in his car that he is always on the verge of losing and unable to find a decent job or find a place to live. There are some  felon friendly apartments but they have a variety of felony types and this gentleman has a young daughter and does not want to have her staying with him in an environment that he is not sure would be safe for her.

It seems to me that the impetus to re- offend or possibly commit a different crime purely out of desperation or resorting to less than moral behavior to get what they need...is great. The impetus to just give up on life is also great. How tragic!  I live in Denver Colorado. I was wondering if you knew of any staffing services, coaching services, etc that are available and focus in this area?   If you have been helping felons in your area for over 10 years can you tell me how you go about finding companies that are willing to give felons a second chance?  Are there any government incentives to businesses that are willing to help give these people a second chance at life?  I want to find out what already exists or maybe try to put some programs together but I don't want to re-invent the wheel and would love any input you could give me.
Are there any nationally recognized programs in this area?

Thank you for your time,

Dana

 Felon in Colorado needs a Job and Assistance

 

Hello Dana,

I'm sorry your friend is having so much trouble.  Unfortunately it is common for returning citizens (ex-offenders, felons,) to have difficulty putting the past behind them.  There are many hurdles to overcome.  Below are some resources in your area that your friend may find helpful.




Turnabout, Inc.

Turnabout, Inc. is a non-profit employment, career, and education services agency that provides access to a fully-stocked computer lab, daily job leads, transportation assistance, subsidized work skills training, and job search assistance to former offenders in the Metro Denver area.

Contact:

Turnabout, Inc.
1630 East 14th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 813-0005

Web Site: www.turnabout.org

 
Mile High United Way 

The United Way supports many non-profit organizations.  The United Way may be able to put you in contact with organizations that aid ex-offenders and felons with various services

Contact:

Phone: (303) 433-8383

Fax: (303) 455-6462

711 Park Ave West

Denver, CO 80205

- See more at: http://www.unitedwaydenver.org/programs#sthash.XjwvEYa9.dpuf

Phone: (303) 433-8383

Fax: (303) 455-6462

711 Park Ave West

Denver, CO 80205

- See more at: http://www.unitedwaydenver.org/programs#sthash.XjwvEYa9.dMile High United Way

711 Park Ave West
Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (303) 433-8383

Web Site: http://www.unitedwaydenver.org/  


Colorado Workforce Center

The Colorado Workforce Center consolidates components of Job Service and Employment and Training services in an attempt to maximize its ability to serve job seekers as well as employers. Centers are held accountable for performance outcomes based on the consumer’s feedback. There is an extensive web site devoted to workforce center information as well as employment services.

Contact:

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Tower 11, Suite 400
1515 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-620-4204 

Web Site: coworkforce.com/EMP/WFCs.asp


 
Also check out our  List of Companies that hire Ex-offenders and Felons.  It is quite an extensive list and hopefully it will be helpful.

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

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to getting a Job with a Criminal record

 Felon in Colorado needs a Job and Assistance

Eric Mayo

Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores

I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for many years and if there is one thing I stress is the power of the first impression.  How you look is going to speak volumes about you before you ever open your mouth.  Whether out looking for a job, filling out applications or interviewing that first impression is powerful.  What do people see when they see you?  Do they see a thug or a businessperson?  Everything about you should "Professional."

The classic look for men is a dark suit with a light colored shirt and a color coordinated tie.  At the very least, dark slacks, with a light colored shirt and a nice silk tie.  Don't forget the shined shoes.  For women, a classic  pant or skirt suit with coordinated pumps. 

I meet ex-offenders and felons who tell me that they do not have the money to buy the kind of clothes that I'm talking about.  There is a solution, the local thrift store.  I know what you are thinking- used clothes,
yuck!  Get rid of you prejudices that thrift stores are full of junk that other people threw away.  The fact is, thrift stores often have high quality clothes at bargain basement prices.  Check this true story about an actual student of mine:

"Real Stories of Ex-offenders and Felons Looking for Jobs" 

 

I recently took a student of mine to a local thrift store because he told me he did not have clothes for an upcoming interview.  This is what we got.


1 pair of  Perry Ellis Portfolio double pleated, cuffed slacks - $4.00

1 Ralph Lauren Dress shirt - $3.00

1 Nautica silk tie - $2.00

1 pair of Cole Haan shoes $12.00

He went home with clothes that would make him look like a million dollars for $21.00!

Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are great for finding good bargains on clothes. Here are some tips to make thrift store shopping a great experience.

 Give yourself time.  Thrift stores usually have a lot of things to look through.  Take your time and find what you need.

Go with a friend.  It’s good to have a second opinion. If you're a guy, go with a girl.  If you're a girl, vice versa.  Your friend will be able to help you decide if something really looks good on you.

Find out if there are any sales.  Some thrift stores color code the sale items.  Some stores even have a sale day.  Find out how to make your thrift store bargains even better.

If possible, buy clothes that are machine washable.  What good is getting a good deal on slacks if you can only dry clean them.

Look clothes over very carefully.  Nothing is worse than thinking you have found a nice shirt, only to get home and find a hole on the back or the cuffs are frayed.

Try clothes on.  You will feel really bad if you got those great slacks home and they don't fit

Wash clothes when you get home.  Thrift store clothes are basically clean, but many have been on the rack for a while and need to be freshened up before wearing.

Thrift stores are a great option for ex-offenders and felons who want to look professional but do not have a lot of money.  To find your local thrift store, check your local telephone book.  Even if you haven't decided that thrift stores are for you.  Try one anyway.  Go down and look around.  Even if you don't buy anything the first time, don't be surprised if you go back at another time.


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 Jobs for Felons: How to Shop at Thrift Stores

Jobs for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs : What to wear to the interview

Jobs for Felons and Ex-offenders: How to Tie a Tie

Jobs for felons: Ten Simple Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

 

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record?  I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for over ten years and I feel I have an understanding of what works. I will be updating this blog often. I will answer specific questions relating to getting a job with a criminal record on this blog so feel free to send me your questions.   The right information could help a felon get jobs.  You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: Adogzheart2@gmail.com.

If you are a felon and really serious about getting a job or you want to help someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job

 

Need Interview Clothes? Ex offenders and Felons Should try Thrift Stores

Can I get  Job with an Adjudication Withheld  Sex Offense?

Hi,  I seem to be having issues getting a job. I’m a registered sex offender in Florida. I have Adjudication withheld innocent. Never on probation and no restrictions. I only have to register twice a year. I’m a one of a kind since most offenders had probation etc. I can vote and carry a gun.

 I had sex with my wife when she was two months shy of 18. State attorney charged me with statutory rape. We are still married and have a 5 year old daughter. This is affecting my life. I have an MBA and masters in criminology.  I was forced to quit my job as a police officer of 15 years because of the charges.

Every time I apply for a job I get turned down. I guess I could move to any of the 36 other states that don’t consider my crime as a problem since most states is 16. Also adjudication in say Georgia is not a problem since they consider it as innocent.  I want to stay in Florida what do you suggest short of writing the Governor for a pardon.

- WG

Can I get  Job with an Adjudication Withheld  Sex Offense?

Hello WG,

Since very few pardons are granted, that may not be a viable option.  The good news is that Withheld Adjudication has a positive outlook.   Typically, there are terms associated with the this process, usually a fine and probation.  Once the terms are met, the original charges are dropped leaving only an arrest record.  When background checks are done, only the charge is seen.  You can find out from the prosecutor associated with the case to find out if the terms were met and the charges were indeed dropped.

If indeed the charges were dropped, expungement may be an option.  Expungement essentially is a process that will hide the charges from public view.  If an expungement is granted, the charge will not show up on a background check, making getting a job a lot easier.  Because this a legal process, I would would seek assistance from a qualified legal professional that understands the process in your state.  You should contact the legal aid office in your community where you could possibly get free legal assistance in this matter.

Can I get  Job with an Adjudication Withheld  Sex Offense?

Eric Mayo

Conviction Hurting Job Search

I was convicted back in 2001 for numerous felonies, 14 to be exact, 13 of them was non sexual related (Stealing off ebay, bomb threats, forgery etc..) Long story short, 6 months after the police raided my apartment and took my computer equipment, I was 4 days shy of taking a plea for Probation AND a hefty fine. Well then the police send a warrant out for my arrest for promoting child pornography, which was total BS. I was running an ADULT website with 9,800 ADULT pictures on my computer, but out of that number, they found 12 pictures of underage (under 18) of teenagers or children. Well I had to withdraw my plea and plead guilty of that charge, otherwise if I took it to trial and fought that, the 29 felonies of stealing and other offenses would not be dropped and would be facing 43 felonies which I WAS guilty of.. So I served 3.5 years in prison on a 10 year sentence, but obviously now I have been a registered sex offender. I am highly qualified in the Audio/Video Field.

Well finding a job is seriously impossible, no matter how qualified I am, no one will give me a chance. I started my own AV Company back in 2006 and with any business its always up and down. Been trying to get out of the business I am qualified to do and get a "stable" job that pays even just more than $10 an hour.. Even though my conviction(s) was 12 years ago and I have been 100% clean since, no one seems to care. They would much rather hire someone with 0 experience and a bad work history than hire someone like me..

Going Through the groups that I have went through while on parole, the highest paid job that I remember an offender having was $9 per hour.. There is no way I can support my family on that income, well I guess I can, but we would be on some kind of welfare forever and live in bad parts of town.. If it wasnt for my 6 year old girl, no doubt in my mind I would have no problem just going back to prison, and that is sad to say but it is so true.

So I guess its time to start applying at fast food places, oh wait been there done that, I had an interview a few months back at BURGER KING, starting pay $8/hr! I couldnt even land that job! Very sad.. The screwed up thing is the only difference between me and a lot of other people in the world is, I got caught and they didnt." I am sure a LOT of us has done something stupid in our lifetime that COULD have landed us in prison, but a LOT of us never got caught..

I can rant and rave for a long time, but I have kept track since 2010 since I have been trying to find a decent job. I have applied at 392 places, been interviewed 72 times and have landed ZERO jobs.. So I guess maybe I need to apply at 392 more places, and maybe, just maybe I might land that $8/hr dream job!

 Conviction Hurting Job Search

Wow, that's quite a story.  Law enforcement is really cracking down on the possession of pornographic materiel containing minors.  In fact, I know of teens who have had to register as sex offenders for having nude pictures of their "friends" on their cellular phones.  I tell these kids that "sexting" pictures of minors is indeed a crime in most states.  I hope people pass this information on.

In your situation, unfortunately, possessing such materials is punishable under the same statutes as rape and other such sex crimes.  No matter what your other convictions are, the sex offense will always attract more attention.  It is also unfortunate that all are lumped together as sex crimes and therefore scrutinized by society at large the same way.

My suggestion to you is to seek employment in the video production field in the adult industry or even as a consultant.  There are sites popping up everyday.  I'm sure there is a market for your skills.  You may also consider finding another niche.  With your knowledge and experience you would be successful marketing a more mainstream product.

My only other suggestion is to contact your local United Way office.  The United Way funds a long list or social service organizations.  You may find an advocacy group that has experience with cases similar to yours or they may every suggest an agency that could use a person with your skills.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.  Registering as a sex offender has so many restrictions that finding an ordinary job may be otherwise difficult.

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Conviction Hurting Job Search