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Inmates take welding course to help get jobs post-incarceration

Employ Milwaukee and the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center is offering a new program for inmates to help them gain skills to get a trades job once their sentences are over.

53206 Cast: The Reentry Simulation

53206, located in the inner city of Milwaukee, is the poorest zip code in the state of Wisconsin. 99.2% of residents are non-white and the median household income is $24,000. Podcast hosts Meg and Alex Bruzan cover thoughts on education, social justice, and the normalization of inequities they see on a daily basis.

In this episode, Meg and Alex welcome back Jamie De Jesus to talk with Wylbur Holloway from Employ Milwaukee about the upcoming reentry simulation event. The group speaks about the importance of the event and gives some context around why someone might want to participate in a reentry simulation.

Listen to the episode here!

Workforce Insights with Employ Milwaukee

E32: Walking in Their Shoes: JustDane's Reentry Simulation

Linda Ketcham, Executive Director of JustDane, discusses JustDane's impactful reentry programs and reentry simulation tool.

E30: Navigating Leadership wtih Chantell Jewell

Chantell Jewell, the first Black woman to lead Milwaukee County's Community Reintegration Center, discusses leadership challenges, transparency, and key partnerships supporting community reintegration.

E29: Changing the Game for Diverse Talent in Milwaukee with Bucks DEI Manager Jakeim Jackson-Bell

Jakeim Jackson-Bell discusses the Bucks rotational program he launched for justice-involved individuals after attending an Employ Milwaukee JustDane Reentry Simulation.

E28: Changing the Narrative: The Benefits of Reentry Employment Services

Employ Milwaukee Reentry Manager Wylbur Holloway and participant Christopher Polk discuss the challenges and opportunities for justice-involved individuals seeking meaningful employment.

E15: A Reentry Success Story

Hear from one individual who applied the fundamentals of ambition, desire, and resilience to carve out his own success story with available support from Employ Milwaukee.

Success Stories

Gil W.

Gill's life took a transformative turn when he enrolled in Employ Milwaukee's Community Reintegration Center (CRC) Welding Program. A returning citizen, Gill was dealing with significant stress and trauma, which led him to engage in criminal behaviors. During his five-month stay at the CRC, he began to contemplate his future and the importance of pursuing a stable career, especially for the sake of his young son.

Motivated by his deep desire to provide a better life for his son, Gill seized the opportunity when CRC’s Officer Gensler selected him to participate in Employ Milwaukee’s Welding Training Program. Gill discovered he had a natural talent for welding, with his instructor affirming his abilities by saying, "You got it!" Through dedication and hard work, Gill completed the program, earning six college credits at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the process.

Upon his release on April 2, 2024, Gill didn't waste any time. He attended the orientation for the steamfitters and took the Accuplacer Requirement tests on April 27, 2024, passing all five exams on the same day. This achievement boosted his confidence, making him eligible to submit his scores to various trades in the construction field.

Committed to change and success, Gill also enrolled in financial literacy classes, learning essential money management skills. He joined the Driver's License Recovery Program and excelled in the Right of Way course, passing the test with flying colors and becoming eligible for reinstatement.

Gill's hard work and perseverance have paid off. For the first time in his life, he feels "unbound," overcoming obstacles such as homelessness, single parenthood, and ageism. With his new skillset, he can now sustain himself and continue to push through life's challenges. Waking up every day with the knowledge that he has what it takes, Gill is deeply appreciative of the opportunities and support he received.

Employment is indeed the ultimate success for Gill, but it's his unwavering perseverance and determination that truly define his journey. His story is a testament to the power of second chances and the impact of supportive programs like those offered by Employ Milwaukee.

Gill's journey from incarceration to becoming a skilled Field Technician in the construction industry is inspiring. He now earns $22 an hour and looks forward to a bright and promising future, equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed. His greatest motivation remains his son, driving him to work hard and ensure a stable and prosperous life for both of them.

Dontae

Dontae's journey with the Milwaukee Bucks Community Reintegration Center Rotational Program is a testament to the transformative power of support, opportunity, and community.

The origins of this transformative program stem from collaborative work between Employ Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Bucks. Attending Employ Milwaukee’s Reentry Simulation—an eye-opening workshop that simulates the challenges of reentering society after incarceration—the Bucks representative was deeply moved by the struggles and stress faced by returning citizens. Inspired to be part of a solution, he connected with Employ Milwaukee’s Reentry Manager, and together, they set out to create a groundbreaking employment training program. This collaborative effort between Employ Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Bucks led to the creation of the Community Reintegration Center Rotational Program. In its pilot year, the program employed five individuals, including Dontae, who were on work release from the Milwaukee County Reintegration Center. These participants had the opportunity to rotate through multiple departments within the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum, earning a living wage and acquiring valuable skills.

As a participant in the pilot year of the program, Dontae found himself immersed in an environment that not only welcomed him but actively invested in his success. Reflecting on his experience, Dontae shares, "The people I worked with really wanted to see me succeed." This genuine support from his colleagues created a sense of belonging and encouragement that propelled him forward.

For Dontae, the opportunity to work with his favorite team, the Milwaukee Bucks, and be a part of the Fiserv Forum staff was not just a job—it was a dream come true. With the guidance and support of Employ Milwaukee Workforce Specialist Jeannette Haynes, Dontae navigated the challenges of reentry with confidence. Jeannette provided invaluable support, keeping him on track, offering guidance, and ensuring he had reliable transportation to and from work.

Grateful for the positive impact of the program, Dontae acknowledges that his longest period of employment has been with the Bucks. This extended tenure has not only allowed him to provide for his children but has also kept him on a positive life trajectory. Through his dedication and hard work, Dontae has not only found stability but has also marked a substantial positive shift in his life.

The Milwaukee Bucks Community Reintegration Center Rotational Program has provided Dontae with more than just a job—it has given him a sense of purpose, belonging, and hope for the future. His success is a testament to the program's holistic approach, which not only provides employment opportunities but also equips participants with the skills and support necessary for successful reintegration into the workforce.

Charles D.

The desire for gainful employment transcends race, color, gender, creed, and circumstance. This is especially true for returning citizens who are looking to get re-acclimated into the community and its social fabric.

Charles is just one example of a justice-involved individual longing for societal reintegration and Employ Milwaukee's Reentry Service team was there to assist. Shortly after his release from prison, after having served 23 consecutive years, Charles was looking for employment. As he was walking from his temporary living quarters to Walgreens on W. North Avenue and N. 27th Street he noticed a sign that read, Employ Milwaukee, and he thought he had hit the jackpot and his desires for gainful employment would be acheived.

Upon entering Employ Milwaukee, Charles met with agency Reentry Services Manager Wylbur Holloway and Reentry Sector Specialist Frederick Nelson, along with Employ Milwaukee partner Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) Job Account Rep/ Job Developer Leslye Love, to find out what opportunities would be available. So much had changed since Charles was first incarcerated back in 1999; the emergence of iPhone and other smartphones, extreme advances in computer technology power and capabilities, along with a changed built environment and landscape in many neighborhoods.

The Employ Milwaukee Reentry Services team, coupled with Ms. Love, worked with Charles to draft and shore up his resume, provide digital literacy assistance and connect him with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other employer partners to explore training and employment opportunities. Charles is grateful for Employ Milwaukee and the agency's efforts to help him secure employment with a local manufacturing company. He stated, "At Employ Milwaukee the people understand you on all levels of life. They don't judge you, they help you to finish."

When asked what words of advice he'd give to other formerly incarcerated individuals looking to reestablish themselves in society having reflected on those who have helped him along his journey both while locked up and since he's been free, Charles stated, "Trust in yourself and trust in people. There is help out there and there are still people out there who are willing to help you regardless of what you've done."

Chris Polk

Chris Polk has spent most of his life in and out of the justice system since catching his first case at 17 years old. While serving time in 2018, Chris got involved with the SMART Reentry program. The SMART Reentry program was created to assess and identify individuals that are considered to be high-risk of reoffending, and connect them to workforce/employment opportunities. After realizing all the opportunities available to him, Chris reached out to Employ Milwaukee about obtaining a Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) certification, so that he could find work as soon as possible upon his release. Chris put in a commendable effort to obtain his certification and was amicably connected to an employer within the same month he was released.

Since then, Chris carries himself as a model representation of how great of an impact Reentry programing has on our community’s returning citizens. Employ Milwaukee loves to share stories, like Chris’, that shed light on the positive things happening in our community! Employ Milwaukee does not believe in turning its back on anyone. We embrace our community’s reentry population and are excited to lend our support.

If you want to hear more of Chris's story, you can listen to his interview on our podcast, Workforce Insights!

Listen here!