The Jobs of Hope (JOH) Re-Entry Program is designed to provide a “bridge” to guide and support formerly incarcerated or gang-affiliated individuals in order to succeed in their re-entry into the local community. The primary focus is on providing job and life skills training, although spiritual support and resource development are offered in order to insure household stability. The intensive eight-week, first phase of the program offers morning education sessions and afternoon job opportunities to provide an “employment incubator” environment designed to help the “apprentices” develop critical work habits and achieve sustainable employment with living wages.

The morning education sessions utilize a customized small group process derived from a variety of systems including the AhaProcess!, the Global Priority Solutions RoundTable Program (a curriculum which explores 40 character values in a self-discover process which has been proven to create personal transformation) in order to address financial, emotional, relational, spiritual and job related needs. The afternoon practical portion of the program creates opportunities for the men to work and gain income at JOH-supervised work sites with local businesses. This gives the apprentices the opportunity to apply newly-learned job skills like arriving on time and working well in group environments. The Re-Entry Program also incorporates spiritual mentorship, family support and fellowship, and professional substance abuse and mental health therapy (if needed).

The JOH Case Manager attends classes and job trainings as needed to monitor on-going participation and challenges, while also offering group and one-on-one meetings with the men in order to discuss their goals and progress. The Case Manager assists the participants with accessing community resources to help stabilize the household and address barriers that may be preventing the men from acquiring and maintaining employment.

After completion of the eight-week program, the apprentices are assisted in finding permanent employment and will remain on the Case Manager’s case load for 12 months in order to stay connected and provide support as needed in their continuing employment and future goal-setting.

2020-2021 People Served by Area of Weld County

• Carbon Valley (Berthoud, Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Frederick, Longmont, Mead, Northglenn, Thornton): 0
• County Seat (Evans, Garden City, Greeley): 55
• Outback (Briggsdale, Grover, New Raymer): 0
• Poudre River Corridor (Severance, Windsor): 1
• South County (Brighton, Fort Lupton, Hudson, Keenesburg, Lochbuie): 2
• Thompson River Valley (Johnstown, Milliken): 0
• US-85 Corridor South (Platteville, Gilcrest, LaSalle, Kersey): 0
• US-85 Corridor North (Eaton, Ault, Pierce, Nunn): 0
• Outside Weld County: 0

Find out more about this program:
2019-2020
2020-2021

Jonathan shares his story:

I was born in Torrington, Wyoming and we moved to Greeley when I was about eight years old. My mom raised the four of us, me, my brother and two sisters as a single mother but life was not easy for a single parent and she did the best she could. Thanks mom.

Growing up, I was exposed to drugs by my father’s family and I started using marijuana when I was about twelve years old. At the age 15 my father was sent to prison and things got progressively worse as I was caught with marijuana in school and it was the start of my legal issues, bouncing in and out of incarceration. Soon after, I progressed from marijuana to meth. I estimate that I have spent about ten years of my life behind bars and more than half addicted to drugs. Despite all these ups and downs I did manage to graduate from Greeley Central High School.

It was about a year ago when I was in a McDonalds having coffee and this gentleman approached me out of the blue and started talking to me. He asked me some questions, told me about Jobs of Hope and he gave me a business card. I didn’t call immediately; to be honest it was about three weeks later. I had been homeless for about two years, struggling with meth and on that particular night I was sleeping in my car, no money for food or gas and cold. Going through my wallet I found that card and decided to make the call. I spoke to a man named Pres and it all started from there. He met with me, took me to detox and he was there for me. Even today, this house (the Jobs of Hope office) isn't a house; it's a home, our home, a place where we come together for support and understanding. At Jobs of Hope you are heard and everyone is welcome. The staff at JOH treat you like a person and that’s what I needed. How or why on that particular day I found that business card, I don't know but I am glad I did.

Today, I have a job, a home but most of all, I have a relationship with my son. For the first time in my life I am actually looking at my future or should I say our future, my son's and mine. All my son wants is to have a dad and I want to be here for him. The only thing drugs lead to is death or jail. I have to admit I am scared, I have never made it this far but if it weren’t for JOH it would have never happened. I have applied for college and if all goes well, I will start in May. College? Never thought it would happen. I want my son to be proud of his father and it was time to stop talking about it and just do it. If I could give anyone who is going through a difficult time some advice, I would tell them, "just go and keep going...there's help if you want it but you have to want it and more importantly be willing to work for it."

Jobs of Hope, is more than another agency, it's a home filled with hope.