Second Chance Employment Builds Lives

The Spokane Residential Reentry Center (SRRC) shared a story on Darrell, a resident who immediately started the process of building back his life after his release from prison and transition into the SRRC. 

Pioneer operates the four federal residential reentry centers in the state of Washington. The programs serve as a bridge from incarceration to life in the community. Staff at the centers assist formerly incarcerated individuals with a successful transition through an array of services focused on finding and retaining employment, reconnecting with families, overcoming a substance use disorder and other issues, and becoming productive members of society. 

After being released from prison to live in SRRC, Darrell was eager to get his life in the community moving forward. He worked with our employment specialist, Joseph Parham, on finding a career where he could apply himself and start making a living. He then engaged with his case managers on securing a driver’s license and obtaining housing at Oxford housing in order to be released to home confinement. 

Darrell worked on his communication skills to interview for work and was hired soon after at his arrival at SRRC. He works as a technician at Cornerstone Building Brands and has already applied himself on the job assisting with a noise pollution problem in the plant. Darrell was recently recognized by his employer for completing the task of making encasements for all the saws to reduce the noise.  He made templates of all the saws enclosures and then built them on swing shift. See the write-up with the account of Darrell's assistance here: Safety Recognition For Noice Reduction.

Mr. Parham shared, “Darrell was very proactive in job searching with an incredible range of soft skills combined with specific trainings that helped in a wide variety of professions. He was a stellar student in the Roadmap classes. His skills enabled him to achieve a well-paid and satisfying job right out of the gate. Good Job!”

Michelle Christie, case manager, worked with Darrell in securing safe housing at an Oxford House clean and sober residence where he is on home confinement but can go to work and attend meetings. He also has reunified with his daughter, set up a savings account, and is looking forward to purchasing a home for him and his daughter now that he is released from home confinement.

Darrell is very motivated to continue on his path of building a successful life and expressed his appreciation for the second chances he received from Pioneer and his employer.