How I do what I do... Training for Ex-offenders

Second Chance/Reentry By Design development was a task I took on in 2009.  2009 was a bad year to start off but ended on a high note.  I was asked to write an article on “how I do what I do”.  To have this make sense I will need to tell you how I got here.  I was unemployed in September 2009, feeling like the world was never going to feel right and becoming obsessed with finding a job.  I was also going through the process of gaining my certification at that time.  I actually had put in for another job with the company I am with now and after that interview, the individual. I interviewed with stated there was a position that would better suit my experience and credentials.  I was provided an interview with the manager over the newly grant funded Second Chance Program.  During the interview the manager discussed wanting someone to design, and create a program for individuals who are on probation, parole or have criminal charges.  I had plans and tickets to visit friends in London so in late October via email I was offered the position and my start date was November 16^th.  I had until January 4^th to create this program, design the curriculum for the program and build all the lectures for the program.  On December 28^th the Employment specialist, whose job it is to work with employers in the community to hopefully hire our participants, started her first day. 

This day was the first orientation for the first class of the Second Chance program.  On January 4^th I entered the class and began teaching life skills, critical thinking skills, and reintegration skills to a room of ex-offenders.  I had a lot of people ask me if I was scared to be in a room with ex-offenders with all types of offenses and my response was no.  I have power point presentations, videos, and lectures that cover everything from relapse prevention to anger management and everything in between.  I am not afraid because the first question I ask the participants is “What are your charges”?  They all have to discuss their charges which range from Child Support to Murder.  I then follow that question up with another question.  “Now tell me who you are”?  See looking at what is on that police report tells me that someone made a mistake in their life.  I also know after being a substance abuse counselor for nearly 12 years that most crimes are committed due to being under the influence of a substance, trying to get the substance or selling the substance.  The most recent reports have stated that 80% of crimes are because of Drug intake or activity.  I feel this number is a bit low.  I present my lectures, my trainings for individuals who many in society have turned their backs on.  I share knowledge and wisdom with individuals who have little to no hope or belief that they will ever have the kind of life they would like to have.  I open their eyes by sharing information that they did not realize was available.  By the end of their time in my trainings they have better self worth and are 110% feeling confident.  I train the individuals on how to enhance their passion for employment and this helps them succeed.  Some end up calling me the enhancer of employment passion.

I lecture and train individuals who are ex-offenders to change their thinking, change their lives and become the best employee they can for any employer who would give them a chance.  For if there are people in the world who have never made a mistake, made a bad choice, or turned the wrong way.  They are lying.  In this world think of a time you made a mistake.  Did the other individual give you a second chance?  Did they learn to forgive and move on or did it end?  In life everyone deserves a second chance especially if they have done some internal learning where they saw their mistake and do everything they can to better themselves and not make that mistake again.  Do you deserve a second chance? 

Coming soon the next requested Article:  “Show me the Money”

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Other Duties as Assigned

Handling changes on the job can be a stressful and scary event.  I had my position change within the last month and it has thrown me for a small loop.  I normally work training ex-offenders in life skills, reintegration skills and employment skills, well about a month ago the grant I worked in ended and while waiting for the next one I was moved into a position that I was not trained for and had no idea what I was doing.  I was grateful to remain employed but had to learn to roll with the change.  My organizational skills jumped into play and off I went.  Getting all the paperwork caught up that had been neglected, meeting with the disabled clients and putting out fires.  This change took me away from my training classes and made it hard for me to cope.

Once I got beyond the stress of the change, got myself organized and continued to work with my Job Coach, I found some inner peace with the change.  I do know that this change is not forever since we were given an extension on the grant and another one in October so I will be going back to the training mode only in October.  From July to October I will still be doing both programs.  I am hoping that I am doing this program like they want but I am doing it to the best of my ability.

How do you handle job changes?  How do you handle new responsibilities?  Do you roll with them or do you curl up in a frustrated ball?  I have worked with many individuals who do not like or accept change very well, now there are times that I myself do not handle change well, but it takes people who can be around to help support you through it.  I have found when a manager gives you more responsibility or changes your position it is because they feel you can handle the change and do the job.  It is so important to know how you handle job changes because that one part of the job description that says “perform other duties as assigned” can come back and bite you if you are not careful. 

I find that it is important to build a career development plan to make sure you succeed in the job.  Knowing what you want to do and following that passion is the best thing for you to do.  Now there is no perfect job out there, each place will have its own quirks and problems.  You might find the best fit to your needs but remember when you accept the job it can change.  Learning to handle change is a great way to succeed in you job or your life.

Great You Graduated!!!!! NOW WHAT??????????

With the new graduates hitting the pavement searching for jobs there are some helpful tips that will help the bright eyed graduates to stay motivated.  Many job coaches and parents are trying to provide information on how the graduate can become employed or the steps for them to gain employment.  One question ringing from the mouths of the graduates is “Why would they hire me, just out of college, and I have little to no experience.  Here are some suggestions on how you can secure a job.

1.        Networking is the best way to secure employment.  Like it has been said “It is not what you know, but who you know”.  This is very true in today’s society.  I am not just speaking about sitting at home on Twitter, Facebook or other sites, but making sure that you network with your friends who are working, go to job fairs, and join local groups to network with others.  Yes, you can network and find jobs on Twitter and Facebook but often times those sites can harm your chances as well as help them.  Plus most of the job sites on Twitter or Facebook use the conventional job sites to seek employees.  Sites like Careerbuilder, Indeed, Simply Hired and your local area job boards.  Remember if you still have those pictures of you doing crazy things at college on your Facebook, they need to come off and so should all the Tagged photos.

2.        Every school has a career development center that has some positions in the community posted.  It is always a great idea to check with the schools career center to get a great resume, cover letter, and practice interviewing.  It is up to you when and how you want to develop your career.  You spent a lot of money to obtain that degree, now finding that job or career is most important.

3.        Beating the pavement early instead of later is most important.  I realize that summer is here and you might feel that you want to hang out by the pool or go places with your friends, but now is the time to find that job.  You should be up and ready to hit the pavement by 8 AM, having your places already picked out where you want to walk in and apply, or to the local Office of employment and training to search for jobs.  If your job search plan is to start in the afternoon, you might as well go back to bed because you will not find a job starting that late.  Remember you might be staying with your parents for the summer, but they gave you wings now get out there and fly.

Remember that each of us is a job of one, and that each decision we make can either bring success or lack of success.  Finding a job is truly a full time job and with so many people in the world looking for work, that makes the job pool even smaller.  Using recruiters, temp agencies, and the foot on pavement selection can help you become employed.  It is up to you.

Apologies to all readers

After a month of being out of touch, The reentry program is back up and running so back to the employment articles.  My job changed for a few weeks and it took all my time so I will be back up and writing soon.

Live Positively Daily

Live Positively daily utilizing customer service.  Having just returned from a conference and listening to a presentation on customer service I wanted to share my thoughts.  We have all gone to a store, restaurant, or made one of those dreaded calls where you hit more numbers than talk to a human being, and I am sure there are memories of a time that you had horrible customer service.  I am also hoping that there were times you had exceptional customer service.  This training started out with the presenter stating “I am so glad you are here” That at the first might not stick in the memory by but the end of the presentation it made complete sense.  The focus was learning to live positively every day and to always put your smile on and be thankful that you have customers.  Here are some of the topics the presenter went over.

1. Live positively.  The presenter discussed how the mindset and the way we think has a lot to do with either being positive or negative.  Positive thinkers will look to the future, find possible snags in life and be able to handle them. The presenter discussed having lost his son 4 years ago around Christmas and how the family tradition of cutting the Christmas tree had been interrupted.  His positive thinking kicked in and instead of sitting in grief and anger he decided along with his family to celebrate the years he was able to have with his son.  See, his point was we are never guaranteed another day.  If a person keeps one foot in the past, and tries to get one into the future surely they will split themselves in half.
2. Celebrate who you are.  This notion was really interesting because not many people are o.k. with who they are, how they look, or what skills they have.  You are the only you, and that should be celebrated.  If you are an optimist then enjoy your optimism, if you are a pessimist, then revel in your pessimism, If you are a realist, then be real.  No matter how you look, how much you weigh, what you drive, or where you live celebrate who you are, be who you are and love who you are.
3. Giving the best customer service starts with you.  This part was interesting because when customers call or come in, even when they are angry you can begin to connect with them and let them know they are important.  The presenter discussed that when he receives a call he will actually give them a time period for the answer. In Example the presenter discussed that he received a call from a customer, the customer needed some information, the presenter discussed that it would take 30 seconds to walk over, grab the chart and provide the information.  The presenter went to the filing cabinet, opened the drawer and not being the best file clerk was hearing the 30 seconds tick by.  The presenter knew it would take 8 seconds to return to the desk, so he called to a co-worker asked them to pick up line 2 and explain that he is not the best file clerk, he has the chart, but would be an additional 10 seconds to be at his desk.  The person on the line started laughing and agreed to another short hold time.  The presenter returns to the desk, picks up line 2 and the individual is still laughing because of the picture in her head about the antics in the room.
4. Verbal Vs. Non Verbal communication.  Do you realize how much information you present to a person even when you do not know they are looking?  70% of our communication happens without saying a word, 10% is what we are saying, and the other 20% comes from the tone we use to say it.  Have you ever been frustrated at work, dreading that next phone call?  How do you answer the phone, see people can tell your emotional state without even seeing you, if you are frustrated at work, then take another call frustrated, do you not think that you will sound frustrated to the caller and their customer service has gone out the window.
5. Can you listen to the silence?  That was an interesting question to be presented.  What kind of listener are you? People Oriented, Action Oriented, Content Oriented, or Time Oriented?  There are many tests on the internet that will tell you how you listen to people, I suggest finding one and seeing where you fit in.  Listening to the silence is about clearing your thoughts just to focus on the other person because many people are already plotting their next reply that they miss the true meaning of what the other person is saying.
6. I am the enhancer of employee’s personal passion for their job.  This was the one branding piece I developed for myself.  I think that no matter what the day starts like, it does not have to end the same way.  If you smile on the phone that comes across, if you frown on the phone that also comes across.  Motivation on the job means you have one and want to keep it.

Rising to be the best at what you do means including who you are and gaining strength and perspective from others around you.  To be the best at something you have to know who you are and what the best looks like.  Take time daily to live positively in a negative world.

Conference

Going to a conference today, There will be a new article next week. Thanks to all who are readers of my blog.

Importance of Self Care

Over the years many people have always discussed self care especially when it comes to employment. Think about where or who you learned your work ethic from. Maybe you had a parent that was a “Type A Personality”.  The one who rarely if at all missed work, the one who might not take time off just for a mental health day, Maybe the one who would go to work sick.  In the past employees were more dedicated to their employers due to employers being more dedicated to their employees.  There is a going trend in the world of employment today that an employer does not have to be dedicated to their employees because there is always someone else in the world that will take a position.  I personally find it hard to miss work, but just a week ago I had to take a day off due to a fever.  I had to learn that self care is important and did not look bad on the employee who needed to take a day off as to not get others at work sick.  There are some very important concepts to look over in your own life to make sure you succeed on the job.

1. Stress management is the number one area to look over.  Are you always at work, thinking about work, planning the next day at work in your mind even when you are at home?  These are some unhealthy attributes for an individual to have.  There needs to be a separation of work and personal life.  The personal life is a way for an individual to deal with the stress at work by taking a walk, playing with their children, or just catching up on a favorite television show.  Work will still be there in the morning.
2. Physical health can begin to become effected by to much stress.  Constantly individuals will rush to get to work, rush through their lunch, if they eat at all, or run through a drive through and eat their lunch at their desk while working through lunch.  Allergy season is upon us and often times if you do not take care of your physical health those sniffles can turn into something more like an upper respiratory infection.  The body has a way of letting you know that you are stressing it to much, individuals just need to learn to listen to their bodies.
3. Stress and sickness have a way of coming from being mentally exhausted due to many long hours, numerous meetings that take up hours a day, or from not sleeping well at night. Do you toss and turn running your calendar through your mind, stressing about this deadline or this important meeting.  When is the last time you took a mental health day as a day off?  A Day where you planned nothing and did something fun.  Maybe you did something with your spouse or children, you know them right? Maybe you worked in the garden. 
4. What activities do you do at work to help yourself provide self care?  Do you walk away from your desk from time to time just to change the scenery?  Do you have a co-worker that you can chat with just to break the monotony?   Often times all it takes is a short breather to provide you with positive energy.  Take time daily to do some self care and you will be a better employee and your company will be better for it also.

Self care comes in many different packages and in many different ways. Look to see what works for you, strive to find that inner Zen with your job and life and most of all take time out of your day for you, because with out you in your day, you might lose the focus of your enjoyment at your place of employment.

Barriers for ex-offenders

We all have barriers or obstacles that we face nearly on a daily basis.  The program I work in has proven itself to have more barriers when it comes to helping individuals gain and maintain employment. The cliental I work with are all ex-offenders who are on Parole. There is a lot of judgment about giving a person with a record a job.  I wanted to take the time to list some of the major barriers that individuals in my line of work face.

1. Having a criminal record has to be one of the worst barriers that an individual can have when it comes to employment. There are so many restrictions about where, with who, and how much work an individual on parole can do.  Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has troubled times and makes horrible decisions, does that mean those individuals should not have a change?  Employers need to remember that not all charges are the same and not all crimes were committed in the same way or for the same reason.  Just lumping an individual into a category can do more damage to that individual.
2. The second biggest barrier is public opinion.  When an employer looks over the application and sees the part checked about a felony or criminal record the chances of that individual receiving an interview are slim to none. The going thought process is “Once a criminal, always a criminal”.  The problem with this is if an individual is not given a chance to prove they want a different life, then they will be forced to return to the life of crime.  The state I work in has the highest rate of recidivism in the country.  More people per year return to prison here than any other state. Why do you think that is? I think it is because many people and employers will not give the individual a chance so what would you do if you had no income, no way to provide for your family or children, and no one willing to give you a chance?  I have a feeling you would make some hard choices and maybe do something illegal if it meant you were going to survive.  I know most reading this will say “I would never get that bad to commit a crime, all I say is no one wakes up one day excited to commit a crime.
3. Self Worth, self esteem and having others that believe in you is another barrier that an ex-offender will face. It is demeaning, frightening and embarrassing for an individual to make a mistake and be placed in jail or prison.  The belief system and individual grew up with has a lot to do with how they view themselves and the world around them. If you grow up hearing you are not worthy, then you will prove everyone who said that to you right.  The individuals I work with teach me to look over my thinking, see what my discrimination thoughts and work to change them.  I think individuals need a second chance because if they learn from the mistake they can grow as a person, but if they try to do right and are held down because of their mistake then they will surely go make another one.
4. Substance abuse issues plague this world, and everyone who knows that in 1956 the AMA finally named addiction as a disease, knows that this complicates a persons success.  The going statistic is that 80% of crimes are committed under the influence of a substance, getting the substance, or selling the substance.  The war on Drugs from the 80’s has worked so well thus far.  I think that statistic is low because if you meet my clients, hear their story it is evident that substance related issues and money are the factors that keep them dealing drugs.  No one thinks to them selves when they are on the playground, “When I grow up, I want to be a drug addict”
5.   Criminal thinking is a reality but that does not mean that it has to remain. When a person makes a mistake, they usually get a consequence, Think of a small child that is put in time out.  If they learn from their punishment they have a better chance of not repeating the same behavior.  When it comes to ex-offenders the same is true, yes there are some who might never learn, but making it harder for them to get housing, employment, safety and security the chances are that they will return to that style of thinking

I hope people remember that we all make mistakes and do or say stupid things, but as long as we are given a chance then we all can succeed.  I would love to know the thoughts that enter the minds of the readers when they think of ex-offenders. Are there judgments in there? 

Working 6 days a week, 12 hour shifts and still smiling

I just returned from a vacation in a place with crystalline waters that reflected the sky making the water clear and relaxing as the waves quietly crashed into the shore. The hotel was pristine with palm trees that gently swayed with the coolish breeze that would gently stroll across the white sandy beach.  So what does this have to do with employment you might ask?  How can a person return from a vacation and have an article about employment?  From the moment we walked in to the lobby of this hotel the hustle and bustle never stopped, from the check in you get a nice fruit laden glass of I think Pina Colada and are greeted with a smile and a very welcoming “Hola”.  As I was wondering around looking at the breath taking scene from the lobby door, looking out over the pool which seemed to disappear into the ocean, I had to stop and think.  How is this place so beautiful with all the vacationers meandering about, checking their computers, I pads, having their first drinks for the day?  Then over the next week the answer to that question became as crystal clear as the ocean.

Over the course of the week we met several of the staff, had some great conversations and yes a few laughs. It was a delightful time.  I want to share the insights from the trip that helped me appreciate my career and feel somewhat like a slacker.  As I was relaxing I noticed things from people that were from different countries, but mainly from America.  These are some of the things I noticed.

1. From the first breakfast the waitress was always smiling and seemed happy even though she never stopped moving. The morning coffee was never empty and the drinks that were ordered were also never empty. On the 3^rd day after skipping breakfast the waitress asked the rest of our party where we were.  It is interesting to see someone come out of the buffet area when you are walking by and waving and speaking because they did not see you that morning.
2. The maitre d' who worked 6 days a week for 12 hours a day always stopped by the table to help teach us Spanish, he was always smiling and loved to kid with us on a daily basis. We saw him for each meal at the buffet. morning, noon and night.
3. When a resort states tips are included this does not mean you can ignore the staff that go above and beyond.  We had great service and I think the service was that great due to the tips that we shared with the individuals that were there working.  I noticed so many Americans and individuals from other countries that maybe tipped 1 dollar and they did not get the best service.
4. There was an individual who spent time with us in the evenings in the bar that really took a shine to us.  He was a maitre d' in the evening and took time to talk with us in between running around and checking in with everyone to make sure they were taken care of. One night we asked him “How can you work 6 days a week with 12-13 hour shifts and still be smiling and friendly”?  He answered he was grateful for his job. He went on to tell us about his two children one 2 years old and 1 6 months old.  He told us that he get’s home around 1 AM catches a quick nap then the 6 month old has him up.  That is after a 12-13 hour day at work.  Normally you would hear someone complaining about how tired they were or how much they hated that schedule, but this individual was grateful to have his job and grateful for his life.
5. I have never seen a resort that was so clean.  The individuals who were in charge of cleaning the rooms, cleaning the lobby and the overall cleaning of the outside did a tremendous job.

As I sit here writing this I find myself still  on that stool looking out at the mirror like water, having individuals rushing to take care of whatever I might need, and yet watching the best work ethic I have ever experienced.  By the end of the week all the individuals we were gracious to meet were calling us by our names and seemed a bit sad because we were leaving, they might have been sad the tippers were leaving, but the genuine smiles; hand shakes and friendly razzing told me differently.  If I walked away from this vacation with one thing, I hope it is for me to go above and beyond for my job, not complain about the day or hours, but return to the gratitude that Rebekah, Jamie, Abiendio, Xavier, Julliam and Uliciez taught me. Give your all and remember if you love what you do you can always smile about it.