I've been thinking of starting this blog for awhile -- mostly as a resource for my students. I teach job search and employment skills classes to inmates at our local correctional facility. I do it through OAR-Fairfax, a terrific nonprofit that assists ex-offenders in getting back on their feet. In addition to sponsoring classes, these folks do everything from helping newly-released men and women find clothing and a place to live to helping them find work.Unfortunately, reduced funding has forced OAR and other firms like it to cut staff at a time when the population they serve is finding it more difficult than ever to land a job. The same thing is happening at re-entry organizations all over the country. So I thought it might be useful to have a spot where folks and their families could come for links, information and resources to aid them in rebuilding their lives after they've done their time.
So bear with me. I'll be posting some links and resources as quickly as I can, but it may take me awhile to get up and running. You'll want to check back often. And if you or one of your loved ones is an ex-offender, feel free to send any of your questions and/or concerns my way. I'll do my best to answer them. Just keep in mind that any thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are mine and mine alone... I volunteer with OAR, but I can't speak for them.
As for the inscription on the necklace above, in case you didn't recognize it, it's a line from a famous poem by Emily Dickinson. She was a writer who knew her share of darkness, but went on to make much of her talents anyway. No matter what your past has been, I truly believe you can too!
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