Through the Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment (HIRE) initiative, justice-impacted individuals are getting a second chance on life.

The HIRE initiative, led by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB),  represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals in the job market. By focusing on training and skill development, HIRE is not only opening doors for participants but also addressing workforce needs across industries. HIRE grantees provide training, reskilling, upskilling, and supportive services to help formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted individuals reenter the workforce and thrive in their communities.

Sergio’s Story: From Incarceration to Certified Welder

Sergio is one of many who have turned their life around after incarceration. Through HIRE, he accessed employment, training, and wraparound services that made his reentry possible. It was not an easy journey, but one marked by resilience and determination.

Sergio’s early life was marked by hardship. Growing up in a gang-affected neighborhood, he struggled with substance abuse from an early age. By 15, he had lost three family members to cancer, leading him deeper into heroin, speed, and marijuana addiction. At 16, he was arrested for burglary and spent two years in juvenile detention. As an adult, he faced five jail sentences and lost custody of his two older children, who were later adopted by his mother.

While incarcerated, Sergio’s father became gravely ill. Looking at his father’s picture, he had a moment of reckoning—he knew he needed to change. After his release in September 2024, Sergio discovered ReIGNITE Hope, an organization that offers welding training and job placement services. In just four weeks (120 hours), Sergio earned two American Welding Society (AWS) certifications through ReIGNITE Hope. With the help of their student coordination and job placement team, he secured full-time employment the following month at Peerless-AV, specializing in welding television wall mounts.

Today, Sergio is self-sufficient. He leads a clean and sober lifestyle, supports his wife and two young children, and is a positive role model in his community. His story showcases how access to training, mentorship, and job placement services can change lives.

FoundationCCC’s Education to Work Partnerships Team within the Workforce Development Department is playing a pivotal role in supporting over 80 HIRE grantees throughout California. By employing human-centered design principles and a community of practice model, they’re fostering a collaborative environment that amplifies the impact of each grantee. This method ensures that organizations have access to the knowledge, skills, abilities, resources, and networks necessary to achieve their grant goals. 

The collaborative efforts between FoundationCCC, the California Workforce Development Board, and the numerous grantees are creating a robust support system for those justice-impacted individuals seeking to reenter the workforce.