Media Release

July 5, 2005

Contact:

Claudia Black, 503-789-3162
Glenna Hayes, 503-939-2839

Children’s Justice Alliance Receives $25,000 “One Stop” Employment Grant from U.S. Department of Labor

Portland, Or.—The Children’s Justice Alliance (CJA) received a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer a menu of services for ex-offenders to increase their chances of becoming successfully employed.  CJA is the only organization in the Pacific Northwest to receive one of 49 grants awarded in the U.S.

Through this grant, forty ex-offenders will receive services at the Center for Family Success in the St. Johns neighborhood in Portland.  These services include:

• life skills training
• pre-employment and employment mentoring
• monthly events to facilitate networking, obtain peer support and experience pro-social opportunities
• link to community support

The Center for Family Success, a program of the Children’s Justice Alliance, functions as a hub for educational opportunities, social support and positive family activities for those involved in the criminal justice system, their children and families.  Resources available at the Center include parent education, GED and basic adult education, mental health services, addiction support groups, a clothes closet, housing and emergency food assistance.

Center for Family Success community partnerships include:

• Metro One-Stop Career Center
• Multnomah County Department of Human Services
• Portland Children’s Relief Nursery
• Portland Community College
• 2-1-1 Information and Referral
• Multnomah County Department of Community Justice
• Columbia River Council – Girl Scouts Beyond Bars
• Oregon Department of Corrections
• Trillium Family Services

Coordinated efforts, such as those offered at the Center, assist ex-offenders to successfully transition back into the community, assuming their responsibilities as parents and productive citizens.  Angela Williams, manager of four Portland-area sandwich shops, explains the value of such services.  “As a person coming out of prison with no job skills or experience, the mentorship, opportunities and resources, such as those provided by the Center for Family Success, gave me a ‘second chance’ life. My minimum wage job turned into a career, which in turn has enabled me to help other people.”   

According to Claudia Black, Executive Director of the Children’s Justice Alliance, “We are very pleased to be able to include employment support and mentoring to this population and to strengthen our relationship with the North Portland Metro One-Stop Career Center.”

Children’s Justice Alliance

The Children’s Justice Alliance seeks to improve the well-being of children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system through the creation and support of programs serving the child, the parent and the child’s caregiver.  The Alliance coordinates efforts with program partners to ensure these children and their families receive the comprehensive services needed for successful lives.

For more information about the Children’s Justice Alliance, its programs and partners, please visit www.childrensjusticealliance.org.

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