Project Return

Employment is at the core of our work, as it is the best predictor of a successful future for those we serve. We have a weekly 3-day job readiness curriculum that imparts soft skills needed to be successful in the workplace and incorporates financial literacy, relapse prevention, and digital literacy. After class completion, participants engage in individualized resume development, job search, and ongoing employment coaching. We also provide wraparound supportive services that address their immediate, critical needs such as: paying for medical, dental, and vision exams; referrals for mental health and substance abuse support; purchasing birth certificates and photo IDs; providing food, clothing, and bus passes; and housing assistance. Additional programs include child support services, job retention services, hard skills training courses, and an entrepreneurship program.

We also operate three social enterprises, two of which are employment-generating ventures through which we hire people ourselves. PRO Employment (PROe), our transitional employment program, and PRO Property Solutions (PROPS), our property maintenance company, provide immediate employment opportunities to our participants while propelling them into long-term employment. Our other social enterprise, PRO Housing, is an affordable housing venture dedicated specifically to meeting the permanent housing needs of people who have left prison behind.