PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Second Street Second Chances (2nd Street) has received an $89,000 Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration. 

 

The grant is part of a total of $2.2 million funded by the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) to train formerly incarcerated individuals. This latest round of funding is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public agency within EOLWD.

 

"We all benefit when individuals re-entering our communities have the relevant skills and experiences they need to succeed in today’s workforce," Governor Maura Healey said. "These grants will make a positive difference for our employers, economy and public safety."

 

The grant program aims to improve workforce outcomes for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. Program participants receive on-the-job training from local organizations in industries such as clean energy, hospitality, and manufacturing.

 

Eleven organizations, including 2nd Street, received funding to train 389 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to the workforce for job opportunities in culinary, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare fields.

 

2nd Street will partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in machinist roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Unistress Corporation.

 

"We are deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grant," 2nd Street Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell said. "This funding allows 2nd Street to expand our mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities. With this investment, we will be able to offer Advanced Manufacturing and Welding certification programs that provide participants with industry-recognized skills and a pathway toward sustainable employment. We are grateful to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation for recognizing the importance of this work and for their commitment to creating equitable opportunities statewide."