Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.  

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.  

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release. 

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs. 

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community. 

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program.  Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment. 

• Blue Horizon Boxing Inc., Boston, ($161,689) will partner with the Massachusetts Probation Service (Brockton District Court) to offer a training program to 36 returning citizens with a focus on facilities maintenance and environmental services. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as maintenance assistants, facilities technician trainees, environmental services workers, and building operations support staff at AvalonBay Communities and Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital.
   
• Community Action Pioneer Valley Inc., Greenfield, ($200,000) will partner with Franklin County and Hampshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 42 returning citizens with a focus on the manufacturing, information, construction, culinary, social services, and healthcare industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as line cooks, recovery coaches, custodial workers, weatherization techs, and production occupations at Franklin Co. Community Development Corporation, Fitzwilly's Restaurant, Holyoke Pizza, Nortek Inc., Whitman Properties, and AM Lithography.
   
• Community Servings Inc., Jamaica Plain, ($90,000) will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff's Department and Suffolk Superior Court Probation Department to offer a training program to 10 returning citizens with a focus on the culinary and hospitality industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in food production and service-related occupations at Max Ultimate Food, City Experiences, Boston Harbor City Cruises, and Tatte Bakery and Cafe.
   
• Community Workshops, Inc. dba Community Work Services (CWS), Boston, ($250,000) will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff's Department and Massachusetts Department of Corrections to offer a training program to 50 returning citizens with a focus on the culinary, hospitality, commercial cleaning, and trades industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as food prep assistant, server/waitstaff, cashier, restaurant host, front desk clerk, construction craft laborer, and site workers at Tatte Bakery & Café, The W Hotel and The Hyatt Hotel, and Boston Building Resource Center.
   
• Interseminarian-Project Place Inc., Boston, ($200,000) will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, Community Resources for Justice and Massachusetts Department of Corrections to offer a training program to 50 returning citizens with a focus on the transportation and warehousing, maintenance, and manufacturing industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as warehouse associates, material handlers, replenishment/ fulfillment associates, delivery drivers, order picker/stockers, and facilities maintenance technicians at New Market Business Improvement District and Aramark.
   
• Justice Resource Institute Inc./STRIVE Boston, Needham/Jamaica Plain, ($200,000) will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff's Department to offer a training program to 60 returning citizens with a focus on the healthcare and transportation industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as security staff, direct & relief staff, therapeutic mentors, licensed CDL truck & heavy equipment operators, shuttle drivers, and track laborer workers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Keolis America Transport Inc.
   
• Maverick Landing Community Services, Inc., Boston, ($200,000) will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff's Department to offer a training program to 35 returning citizens with a focus on the culinary and hospitality industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as prep cook, line cook, food service worker, kitchen assistant, dishwasher/utility worker, catering assistant, and other food service positions at YMCA of Greater Boston and Cesaria Restaurant.?
   
• New England Center for Arts & Technology, Inc. (NECAT), Boston, ($200,000) will partner with Suffolk County Sheriff's Department and Boston Pre Release, Suffolk Superior Court, Plymouth House of Correction, the Department of Youth Services, and Roxbury District Court to offer a training program to 70 returning citizens with a focus on the culinary industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in roles as prep cooks, line cooks, catering cooks, sous chefs, and station chefs at Tatte Bakery & Café, NECAT Catering Social Enterprise (NECAT Caters), and Haley House Bakery & Café.
   
• Quinsigamond Community College (QCC), Worcester, ($249,769) will partner with Worcester County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 20 returning citizens with a focus on the culinary and hospitality industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in food preparation roles at Snapchef and Latin American Health Alliance - Hector Reyes House.
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• The Michael English House, Inc., South Yarmouth, ($213,830) will partner with Barnstable County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 36 returning citizens with a focus on the construction industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in carpenter roles at Shepley Wood Products, Cape Cod Carpentry Guild, Inc., Whitcomb Building and Remodeling, Zinck Concrete, and Encore Construction.
   
• We Reach Inc., East Boston, ($213,830) will partner with Essex County Sheriff's Department / STAR Program to offer a training program to 24 returning citizens with a focus on the animal care industry. Successful program graduates will be placed roles as entry-level professional pet groomers, mobile pet groomers, and grooming business/customer service associates at The Doggy Port and Happy Tails.

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