One of the best interventions to reduce violence is a job, say experts. Not only does it mean a paycheck, but it also brings structure, a sense of belonging, and self-esteem to chaotic lives.
Miguel A. Cambray sees the power of employment every day. As director of career pathways for READI Chicago, he is responsible for developing relationships and partnerships with the employers who are crucial to the success of the program. These companies onboard participants for paid transitional employment opportunities, allowing the men to experience the pride of earning honest money – many for the first time.
“READI Chicago is about more than just a job,” Cambray said. “It’s about an opportunity to change yourself, the people around you and where we live.”
Participants start with an entry-level, subsidized job, such as cleaning up the parks for the Chicago Park District, at $12 an hour. Then, they move into work that calls for more skill, such as manufacturing. Finally, at 18 months, the goal is to qualify for an unsubsidized job in fields such as commercial driving or construction.
Minimum wage may not sound like much of an incentive to get off the streets, “but at least no one is shooting at me,” said one participant. “It also makes me feel good.”
That’s because when participants are cleaning up parks, they’re actually revitalizing their own neighborhoods. Or, if they’re working at another employer, Freedman Seating, they’ll know their labor resulted in seating for the CTA, Cambray explained.
“Anytime they visit the park with their kids or ride the bus, they’ll see things differently. They know they contributed and that they’re a part of something much bigger.”
Cambray, who joined Heartland Alliance last year, wasn’t always able to embrace such a broad perspective. Growing up in Little Village, he had an up-close view of poverty and trauma; of too many weapons and too little access to opportunity.
His similar background, experience, and education – he’s pursuing a doctorate in community psychology from National Louis University – gives him credibility and a keen understanding of what it takes to break the cycle of violence.
At READI Chicago, some 40 percent of the clients are either on probation or parole. Additionally, many have complex needs, such as housing, food, and transportation that have kept them from being employable. But the biggest challenge Cambray faces every day? Teaching patience.
“A lot of our guys require immediate gratification, and anything that prolongs that gratification increases anxiety for them,” he explained.
The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – another essential piece of the READI Chicago model – can help clients address their impulsive behavior. The thrice-weekly sessions also teach the soft skills (getting along with peers, accepting constructive criticism, etc.) required to be a good employee. “Some of the men feel ready to be placed right now, but if they went to a traditional workplace, they wouldn’t last and it would just be more failure.”
Jacqueline Summerville-White agrees. As community project manager for Austin/West Garfield Park, she manages employer relationships and knows that just showing up can be a challenge for many of the participants. However, learning is a two-way street, she said.
“What I love about READI Chicago is that it’s not just the men who are developing professional skills, but the staff, as well. Because if our staff doesn’t have an understanding of how to connect with them, they can’t give their all to the participants.”
When recruiting potential employers, the team looks for partners who understand the model and want to be a part of the solution.
“It’s been awesome for us,” said Gail Dunn, labor foreman for the Chicago Park District, which has employed hundreds of participants across the city. “They’re working hard enhancing the beauty of Humboldt Park – and making a big impact.”
What would Dunn like to tell potential partners who may question hiring ex-offenders?
“That these guys are human beings, just like us. They’ve got families like us and bills like us. That acceptance and understanding will serve us much better than fear,” she said.
As for those who are still caught in the revolving door of crime and incarceration, Dunn has one message: “You need to know that there is a better, safer alternative. You need to know that people are fighting for you, to give you a brand new start.”
