By Jess Lawson, Free Minds intern

Congratulations to Anthony, David M., David T., Josh, Ricardo, and Tavon, who recently graduated from the Free Minds Job Readiness and Life Skills Apprenticeship.

workshop speakers

From left: Anthony Belton, author Shaka Senghor, Marcus Bullock

According to The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, formerly incarcerated people face a surplus of state and federal restrictions on employment eligibility, making it that much harder for them to find, and keep, a job.

The good news, however, is that stable employment lowers recidivism, and is key to successful re-entry into society. Studies have shown that offering the opportunity for stable employment to individuals who were once incarcerated actually lowers recidivism rates and increases public safety.

This past February, six Free Minds members committed to one such opportunity.

Meeting three times a week, these young men participated in the Free Minds Apprenticeship, a month-long program emphasizing accountability, goal-setting, and job-readiness skills. Throughout the month of February, apprentices participated in a variety of workshops and trainings, including roleplaying for job interviews and learning to plan a budget. Free Minds was also honored to host several guest speakers, including Maureen Herman from the Department of Education to discuss resumes, Donald Curtis from SOUL (Student Athletes to Understand Leadership) to talk about college prep, Dr. Norah Neale to discuss stress management and mental health awareness, and Larry Carroll, Sr. from KAAOS gym to go over physical fitness.

Marcus Bullock

Marcus Bullock, standing, facilitates Flikshop University with the Free Minds apprentices.

Marcus Bullock, founder of the company and app Flikshop, hosted one of the apprentices’ favorite sessions. A former inmate himself, Bullock described his own journey from a cell block to the world of business entrepreneurship, creating a company that sends postcards to inmates around the country. Bullock challenged each apprentice to articulate his own goals and to see himself as an entrepreneur in his own right.

Several apprentices also had the opportunity to speak at our monthly Write Night at George Washington University. Despite initial anxiousness about speaking in front of a crowd of over 100 people, apprentices Ricardo and Joshua bravely shared a few poems and their personal experiences with the group.

Ricardo speaking

Ricardo speaks to volunteers at Write Night.

The apprentices also spent one morning creating vision boards with magazine clippings and colored markers, reflecting on their future goals. For 17-year-old Anthony, that meant cutting out a huge picture of vegetable lo mein to represent his aspirations of working in the food industry. He hopes to eventually learn the ropes at the DC Central Food Kitchen once he turns 18.

Tavon

Tavon with his new journal in the Free Minds office.

One afternoon, the apprentices viewed a video about famous failures, where they heard the stories of personalities like Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, and Oprah Winfrey. Reflecting on the fact that each of these success stories was once told that they would never amount to much of anything, the apprentices recalled several similar experiences in their own lives. Tavon shared that when he was 13, an older guy on the block said that he would never make it to 21. This year, he celebrated his 22nd birthday. David M., a 26-year-old, was told he would never get an education because of his behavior issues. In 2007, however, he attained his GED, and he is now on track to full-time employment.

Group celebration

Free Minds apprentices and staff celebrate Reentry Program Coordinator Keela’s birthday. (Apprentices from left: Josh, David M, Tavon, David T, Ricardo, and Anthony)

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