Grants Will Help Ex-Offenders Find Jobs in Growing Industries

Finding employees continues to be a challenge for cleaning businesses, especially as the coronavirus pandemic has increased demand for these businesses’ services. Many companies are considering hiring ex-offenders looking to get back into the workforce. However, some of these potential employees require training.

To assist ex-offenders in getting back into the workforce, the U.S. Department of Labor announced this week it is awarding almost US$91 million through two grants that assist former offenders in gaining meaningful employment—Pathway Home and the Young Adult Reentry Partnership (YARP).

More than $64 million will go toward Pathway Home grants to 20 recipients serving 15 states to assist in the transition of ex-offenders back to the workplace. Grant recipients will offer individuals a variety of services designed to help ease their transition back to society, including education and training, job preparation, legal assistance, and career exploration and planning.

In addition, more than $26 million will go to YARP grants to help establish partnerships with community colleges and connect young adults who have been involved in the criminal courts system with apprenticeships and other opportunities in growing industries.