MANSFIELD, Ohio – Individuals with compromised backgrounds often struggle to find employment opportunities in light of their past, but one program in Richland County is dedicated to helping them move toward a positive and productive future.
Through Catalyst Life Services, “One Strike and You’re Not Out!” aims to provide employment preparation to individuals with compromised backgrounds. CLS does this by understanding the barriers to employment and providing honest and realistic guidance to improve an individual’s access to potential jobs.
The program works in cooperation with Success Unlimited Programs, Madison Adult Education, Mansfield City Adult Education and Progress Industries. “One Strike” also offers assistance in filing for ensealment and/or the Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE).
“It has relevance beyond a paycheck and profits,” said Judge Ron Spon during Wednesday’s informational breakfast hosted by Progress Industries and Success Unlimited Programs.
“Life is a great adventure, but it is also a very great challenge,” said Spon. “And it’s more of a challenge for those who have compromised backgrounds, or those who have had mental illness or gotten into drugs.”
Jason knows the struggles of finding employment with a compromised background. He shared his “One Strike” success story on Wednesday. Six months ago, he had been unemployed for more than two years.
“I was homeless, physically ill with no health insurance, drowning in financial debt,” said Jason. “Because of one mistake in my past, employment was almost impossible.”
Jason praised the “One Strike” program for helping him get his life back on track. The program teaches interpersonal skills, interviewing, resumes, job applications, and how to discuss charges with employers by being upfront.
“The most important and best part for me is they showed me how to clean up my record – that certain mistakes can be fixed, and certain barriers can be broken,” said Jason.
Dan Dickman, director of Success Unlimited, explained to the many employers present Wednesday that the “One Strike” program is designed to support both individuals and their employers. He encouraged employers to think twice when considering an individual with a compromised background.
“In our prison system, if all we do is lock people up and we don’t give them opportunities, they always come back,” said Dickman. “We’re the ones who will make a difference in our county in how we choose to engage that process.”
Spon also noted the most valuable lesson he’s learned as a judge trying to redeem and rehabilitate people is the power of giving someone practical hope.
“We can counsel people all day long but if this person can’t get a job somewhere, let me tell you, it’s going to be very difficult,” said Spon. “There has to be hope in the picture, and it has to be practical.”
Jason was able to find that practical hope through “One Strike.” He is employed as a supervisor, living in a two-bedroom apartment, and has both health insurance and a debt consolidator.
“Before this course, I was standing alone in the darkness,” said Jason. “One Strike was the light that led me back home.”
