Mentoring and Employment
The challenges for men and women coming out of prison are numerous and widespread. Many are returning to a different world than the one they left, where changes have occurred. They must rebuild their lives with new social connections and establish their independence through employment. At the same time, a great number of employers are leery of hiring people with an incarceration history–they consider it too big a risk.
In Battle Creek, Second Wind is developing an answer to this problem. Second Wind HR is a one-year-old nonprofit licensed temp service (a part of CityLinC Ministries) working to “provide employment opportunities for people re-entering society after release from incarceration.” This is no small task, but Second Wind HR’s approach is unique in that it works in partnership with Second Wind Mentoring to provide the essential support needed for success in building new lives.
Parolees and probationers are matched with volunteer mentors and work alongside their mentors on community service projects in the Battle Creek area. Mentors take the time to get to know their “mentees” and observe their skills and work habits. Mentees who appear motivated and employable are invited to become part of an employment training process.
Clint Bradshaw, Director of Second Wind HR, has spent the past year working diligently to bring men into the training program and find employers willing to take a look at parolees and probationers as potential employees. While he believes wholeheartedly in the mission, he notes that it takes a very long time to make the appropriate connections and establish trust on both sides. “Battle Creek is a show-me kind of town,” he comments. “Employers want to see a track record.”
Currently, Second Wind HR’s clients are working in building maintenance and janitorial training alongside the Custodial Maintenance Supervisor at Dexter Lake and First Wesleyan Churches in Battle Creek. Other clients have worked in construction, restaurant and food services while a few have gone on to factory jobs.
Clint remarks that many of the men are highly skilled and intelligent. Their criminal records may not be the only obstacle to employment however. “We look at each person’s work and ask ‘Can they work well with others?, Can they take instruction? Do they demonstrate initiative?’ These qualities are all important to employers. We also spend time coaching and practicing the interview process to anticipate the questions that will be asked.”
Rather than large corporations, Second Wind HR is targeting local businesspeople who are community-minded and interested in helping meet an important need in their communities. Clint’s goal for the program’s second year is to get 5-10 businesses in the network, ready to accept temporary employees from Second Wind. People in the program will have been carefully evaluated, interviewed, drug-screened and have undergone an extensive background check. And just as importantly, each parolee has their mentor relationship for extra support and guidance as they transition back into the workforce.
Retraining and establishing a new career are points of identification between Clint and the men in the program. After a long career as a mechanic, he was laid off and underwent a retraining program at Kellogg Community College in Human Services, eventually earning a degree. Clint also remarks that he can identify with the emotional struggles that many of the men experience–a gift that helps tremendously in his mentorship role.
The formation of Second Wind HR is the “next step” in helping former prisoners reintegrate successfully, according to Clint Bradshaw, though he remarks that there’s much more that can be done. He dreams of creating residences and businesses owned by Second Wind to give another chance to people re-entering society for a life of dignity, purpose and hope.
KPEP Calhoun County Program Manager Andy Jerue, who has been involved in recommending residents for the program, comments “It’s a great thing for Battle Creek. We see it as a win-win for everyone.”