Fellowship Place Panel Discussion: Barriers of Finding Employment when you have a Criminal Record

Fellowship Place hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday March 29, to discuss the barriers of finding employment when you have a criminal record, and strategies for overcoming those barriers. About 125 people attended and contributed to the discussion, which included employment rights, resources available to ex-offenders, as well as how to discuss a criminal record with an employer.  The panel was moderated by Clifton Graves, Project Fresh Start, City of New Haven. Panel members included:

  • Timothy Lyles, Employer, Regional Sales Manager, Avagrow International
  • Trevor Johnson, Certificate of Employability Coordinator and Adult Probation Regional Manager
  • Dwight Dickerson, Owner, Tri-Cord, LLC
  • Two individuals with a criminal record, who are stably employed
  • Kirk Lowry, Legal Director, Connecticut Legal Rights Project

     

    Empl Crim Hx Panel Discussion3

    From left to right: Kirk Lowry, Novem Alston, Dwight Dickerson, Trevor Johnson, Timothy Lyles, and Clifton Graves. 

Watch Video: “Recovery Is Crocheting”, Featuring a Fellowship Place Client

Liz, a Fellowship Place client, shares her very personal account of how learning to crochet has helped her stay focused on her road to recovery. Video produced by Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) with support from the CMHC Foundation.

Revovery is Crocheting from Connecticut Mental Health Center on Vimeo.

Watch Video: Recovery Through Music Featuring a Fellowship Place Client

Shenette Lopez, a participant in both Fellowship’s Young Adult Group and Expressive Arts Program, shares her very personal account of the important role music plays in her recovery from mental illness. Video produced by Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) with support from the CMHC Foundation.

Successful Highlights from Fellowship Place’s Career Development Program this Past Quarter

Congratulations to the following Fellowship Place Clients who secured employment this past quarter with support from the agency’s Career Development staff:

Michelle W. and Karen B. started jobs as Event Planners for Advanced Marketing Solutions in Orange, CT.

Melissa P. started a job as a Food Service Worker at Whitson’s Food Service in New Haven, CT.

Johvanni C. started a job as a Cashier at Shoprite in New Haven, CT.

Elizabeth S. started a job as a Cashier at Burlington Coat Factory in Orange, CT.

100% (17) of individuals in Fellowship Place’s Supported Education program who attended a Fall school term, successfully completed their terms.

A total of 18 individuals participated in New Haven Adult Education GED classes hosted at Fellowship Place for the Fall term; 7 of which were from New Haven community and 11 were active Fellowship Place members.

Awards won by Fellowship Place staff & members as part of neighbor Montessori School on Edgewood’s 6th Annual Valentine Chocolate Festival.

Congratulations to Ken Grimes & Peter Gaffney of Fellowship Place’s Expressive Arts Program. Ken’s artwork was chosen as the theme for the Festival’s T-Shirts, and Peter’s artwork for a poster auctioned off during the event’s silent auction. Congratulations to Fellowship Place’s Chef Alan Thayer, Carolyn Miller, and the Food Service Interns for their award winning recipe “Fellowship Place’s Dream Chocolate Truffle” with Salted Almonds and Organic Coconut.

Choc Festival Graphic2

 

Fellowship Place is accepting applications for education scholarships for homeless and formerly homeless individuals, to cover education and education-related expenses.

Fellowship Place proudly announces the development of an education scholarship program for homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Funded by the Melville Charitable Trust Employment & Educational Opportunity Fund, Fellowship Place will offer fifteen (15) $500.00 scholarships, to cover education and education-related expenses not covered by other scholarships or funding sources.  Scholarships will be awarded to individuals who are enrolled, or will be enrolled in a formal job-training program or post-secondary educational program, with the goal of obtaining an occupation in demand as defined by the CT Dept. of Labor.  Winners will be chosen by Fellowship Place’s Business Advisory Council, through a competitive process.

Download the application complete with guidelines and deadline schedule, by clicking on this link:Fellowship Place Scholarship Application

For more information, please contact Sandi Sibilio, MS, SHRM-CP, Fellowship Place Director of Career Development Services, (203) 401-4227 Ext. 1209.