NCWorks Career Center Rowan – Working On Removing Barriers and Opening Doors

The Centralina NCWorks Career Center-Rowan, led by Center Leader Joseph Dismuke, participated in the planning and presentation of a Justice Involved Re-Entry Simulation and Former Offender Job/Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the West End Plaza in Salisbury. The event was designed to present the barriers that the Justice Involved population faces as they try to re-enter their community following incarceration. The barriers are often so overwhelming that it is sometimes easier for them to revert back to their previous ways as opposed to moving forward. The NCWorks Career Center-Rowan partnered with the City of Salisbury, Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, and Goodwill Industries of the NW Piedmont to make this event possible. Community support professionals were invited from all realms of service, with 50 individuals participating. During the event, these professionals were asked to live the day-to-day life of a recently released justice-involved person, including attempting to locate housing, obtaining a driver's license, and meeting with their parole officer, with time limits placed on each action that represented the real-time frames that are required upon release. Several in attendance expressed that this was a very eye-opening event that brought to light the barriers and possible solutions that partners could help resolve.

Following the simulation, the NCWorks Career Center-Rowan team held a job fair that was geared specifically to the justice-involved job seeker. There were 15 employers in attendance that were able to have in-person interviews with 38 job seekers. The team is hopeful that these job seekers will obtain employment that will improve their lives. Mr. Dismuke worked to ensure that the employers present at the event were all receptive to hiring those with backgrounds to ensure that the stigma of the justice-involved job seeker was not a barrier that these job seekers would face at this event. NCWorks-Rowan staff member Chavonne Greer was directly involved in the planning of the event and through her work orchestrated a pipeline for the success of the individuals participating in the Community Assistance Program (CAP) to have access to resources and employment opportunities.

Simulation and Job fair attendee Crystal Meeks said "I attended the NCWorks Simulation event through the CAP (Community Assistance Program) to look for a job with McDonald's. I was able to talk with other employers and meet a manager for an interview" Note: Crystal was offered two management positions from which to choose.

It is the mission of the Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) to "Help Centralina businesses expand and thrive through a globally competitive workforce." The Board partners with community organizations to provide employers with skilled job seekers from diverse populations. Events similar to this are just one of the many ways that the Centralina WDB and our local NCWorks Career Centers Team are meeting the needs of our communities.

For more information on resources and opportunities, visit https://centralinaworkforce.com/. And be sure to download the FREE Centralina WDB Mobile App – available on the Google Play Store and the App Store for iPhone to keep up with all the local workforce services and events happening around the region.

Tags: Centralina WDB News Career Educational Services Employment Events Government Manufacturing Sports & Recreation Transportation Unemployed