HOUSTON (October 13, 2011) – The path to re-entry will be a bit brighter this weekend as HoustonWorks USA, the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department and Texas Southern University (TSU) partner for the Sealing Juvenile Criminal Records Re-Entry Workshop at 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 co-sponsored by the TSU’s Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. The workshop, for participants of the HoustonWorks USA Youth Empowerment for Success (YES) Program, will provide restorative, legal re-entry and career resources for youth offenders to successfully enter the workforce upon completion of probation.
The YES Program, funded through a grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is designed to assist 100 youth offenders, ages 12-17, which are currently on probation through the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. YES prepares youth to gain meaningful employment and access to educational and training opportunities while on probation. The goal is to reduce crime and increase the youths’ ability to successfully function within the community, school, work place and home.
“We cannot over-emphasize the importance of collaborating with community partners to find effective ways to assist our youth in overcoming mistakes of the past to become productive members of the workforce,” Larry V. Green, HoustonWorks USA CEO, said. “When ex-offenders face challenges to gain employment, the statistics rise for recidivism. So when we extend opportunities we improve our communities and prevent these youth from being a future statistic.”
The workshop will feature a panel of experts to provide youth and parents information about the issue of criminal background checks, the importance of sealing juvenile records as it relates to future employment, legislative policy issues, and helpful, low-cost legal resources. Attorney William Jones will serve as the panel legal expert, along with Charlie R. Burton, Community Outreach Specialist from the office of Texas State Representative Harold Dutton.
“By saying YES to these youth, HoustonWorks USA opens doors that otherwise would be closed,” Ronald Johnson, HoustonWorks USA Board Member, said. “HoustonWorks USA is working to make a difference by helping at-risk youth turn their lives in a positive direction. This workshop will help these youth connect to valuable resources and equip them with the ability to formulate realistic goals for a better future.”
Youth will be welcomed by representatives from TSU recruitment department and members of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. The school of public affairs serves as an urban focused community of learning dedicated to educating professionals who will plan and administer environmentally healthy and sustainable communities at the local, state, national and international levels of society. Members of the award-winning TSU debate team, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Freeman, will also provide a motivational presentation to attendees.
“We are delighted to collaborate with HoustonWorks USA and sponsor this informative workshop to inform and educate justice-involved youth and families on this crucial issue,” Dr. Helen Green, Interim Dean of the TSU-Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, said.
For more information on the YES Program, please contact Charlotte Grimes, YES Program Director, at 713.691.7940 x 104 or by e-mail at Charlotte.Grimes@houstonworks.org.
ABOUT HOUSTONWORKS USA:
Founded in 1984, HoustonWorks USA is the leading provider of services focusing on job placement, continuing education and vocational training. Serving more than 1 million annually, HoustonWorks USA provides job seekers with a variety of workshops including job search techniques, interviewing skills and resume writing, and use of the resource library with internet access and postings of local, state and national job openings. Training is also available in career fields such as healthcare, business, computers and education. HoustonWorks USA manages several of the largest Workforce Solutions offices in Houston and the surrounding region for the Houston-Galveston Area Council. These offices offer a wide range of services for job seekers as well as employers looking for trained workers. HoustonWorks also provides numerous youth programs including internships, scholarships, summits and summer camps. HoustonWorks is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. Visit www.houstonworks.org for additional information.
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