New York Cares (Resume Writing)

Scenario:  What if you were just released from prison after serving your sentence for a crime and you needed a job?  You would need many things:  training, a resume, job search and interview skills, emotional support, and guidance on keeping a job.

You would need C.E.O. assistance.  C.E.O., the Center for Employment Opportunities, is a jail-to-job transition program that provides former inmates with short-term employment opportunities while also giving them training and support.

One small but important piece of the puzzle is a strong resume.  Since we (Greg and Susan) have resume writing skills, we volunteered to assist C.E.O. clients. What we saw up close were highly motivated, ready-to-work-hard clients on the right path.  There are many obstacles to their success, but C.E.O. provides a strong foundation by giving the clients the tools, support and motivation they need to succeed.  We were privileged to play a small role and plan on continuing to help with the program.

What impressed Greg most is CEO's focus on metrics.  Just like a well-run public company, C.E.O. holds itself and its clients accountable.  C.E.O. measures how well its clients perform during and following the training phase and C.E.O. tracks whether clients obtain, retain and sustain employment and avoid returning to prison.  C.E.O. must be doing something right.  A recent article points to C.E.O.'s unique focus on peer support and teamwork as the key success factor.  Client recidivism is lower than in similar programs. No surprise.  A team is greater than its members. 

A program that works.  Priceless.