Two Free Minds Reentry Support members (former Book Club members who are now home from prison), Anthony and Delonte, have just completed the Free Minds Job Readiness Apprenticeship. This week-long apprenticeship is an in-office program for previously incarcerated youth to learn essential job skills while simultaneously giving back to the Free Minds community through program support and violence prevention outreach.
During the apprenticeship, participants practice computer literacy, professional writing, and office behavior such as punctuality and teamwork. By the end of the week, every apprentice has completed a resume and learned how to apply to jobs; they have also completed an Action Plan with steps towards achieving their career or education goals.
Here’s what Alisha, formerly incarcerated Free Minds member and Reentry Outreach Assistant, had to say about her own apprenticeship, which she completed in the winter:
“The apprenticeship was a great learning experience for me because I learned how to act on the job: how to dress professionally, be on time for work, and how to improve my computer skills.” – Alisha
One of the highlights of this month’s apprenticeship was a trip to the Flikshop offices. Flikshop is a mobile app founded by Marcus Bullock to aid communication between inmates and loved one by allowing people to quickly and easily send postcards to inmates from their smartphones. Mr. Bullock, a returning citizen himself, mentors some of the young men in Free Minds as they navigate the challenges of reentry. Mr. Bullock, who spent eight years in prison for a crime committed at the age of 15, spoke at the last apprenticeship graduation as well, and shared these words of wisdom with Alisha and the other graduates:
“One thing I like to talk about with guys coming home from prison is opportunities. Free Minds is an incredible resource. A lot of times we don’t see the opportunities coming across our lives because we’re not paying attention. But you have to pay attention because it’s the small opportunities that snowball. They grow bigger and bigger. You have to believe in yourself enough to take your skills and turn them into something positive. Just a few weeks ago, I celebrated my 10-year anniversary of coming home from prison. Even after everything I’ve accomplished, I consider this milestone one of my biggest successes.” – Marcus Bullock
Many of our previous apprentices are now finding successes of their own. When Alisha isn’t leading our community outreach activities, she is pursuing an associate’s degree in sociology at Montgomery College. Many other reentry members have found successful employment as well: Gary works in a dog daycare center, and was profiled in The Washington Post; Maurice is an administrative assistant at a mental health facility and will begin classes at University of DC in the fall; additionally, Free Minds member Terrell received his Commercial Driver’s License and is now working as a cross-country truck driver. He told us:
“I was born and raised in DC. I’ve never traveled anywhere, but I want to experience other cities and cultures. When I was locked up, I wanted to read books about places like Chicago or New York but now I’m going to see them for myself.” – Terrell
We know that Anthony and Delonte will find their own successes as well, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish!
Photo credit Mark Strandquist