Posted on

Fedcap Inc.’s IMPACT Program Celebrates The Power of Possible

Fedcap Inc.’s IMPACT Program Celebrates The Power of Possible

• Over 100 individuals have gained sustainable employment through Fedcap Inc.’s IMPACT program.

On an early fall evening, graduates of Fedcap Inc.’s IMPACT program gathered at Citi Field to collect their certificates and celebrate their successful completion of the program. The evening was an opportunity for graduates to reflect and reunite with their mentors, coaches, and instructors. Thanks to special nonprofit pricing from The Mets, Fedcap Inc. was able to celebrate and enjoy a night out at the ballgame with hotdogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks.

The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) IMPACT program is for individuals leaving Department of Correction custody and helps releasees find sustainable employment, which in turn helps them positively reintegrate in the community. Fedcap Inc. enrolls voluntary participants through outreach to individuals and referrals from community partners. Once immediate needs for food, housing, healthcare and childcare, and transportation are assessed and resolved, the program offers skills training, workshops on re-entering the workplace and workplace culture, and job entry and retention services.

To date, 165 individuals out of the 535 enrolled in the program’s first year have achieved employment. Another 85 are in the job search and interviewing process with potential employers. Fewer than 10 have been rearrested, and upon resolution of their cases those individuals remain eligible for re-engagement if they remain within New York City.

Just before the first pitch, The Mets presented their Spirit Award to the Fedcap Inc. IMPACT team, led by Silvia Estrada, Director of Workforce and Criminal Justice Initiatives. The Mets acknowledged The Fedcap Group’s collective successes in connecting people with barriers to education and services that promote economic well-being.

“Through the IMPACT program, we work to make sure participants not only ‘get a job,’ but develop the skills to retain their jobs and plan for their futures as members of the community,” said Silvia.

Tyrone Alexander: Discovering a Culinary Career
Tyrone Alexander came to the IMPACT program after years of “running the streets,” and he became tired of the instability and going in and out of jail. “I was only thinking about what I wanted, and I ended up losing much, including the woman I loved,” he recalls, visibly choked up at the memories. He also had to live in a shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Upon enrolling with IMPACT, Tyrone discovered he had a flair for culinary work. “The nine months of study and internship were hard, and I had to learn skills and how to be a better person. The Fedcap people saw me, and they believed in me.”

Today, Tyrone works as a cook for several organizations and has been rebuilding his life. “This was not the story that was written for me,” he said, indicating that he never expected to be able to attend a baseball game. “It’s a dream come true. I can’t believe I’m here!”

Tyrone has more dreams, and he’s working on turning them into achievable goals. He’s created his own brand of special hot sauce, and now that he’s learned money management skills, he’s saving up to purchase his own food truck.

“This night should be for celebrating the staff,” Tyrone said, now smiling, moved by the simple fact that he was attending a baseball game with his peers and mentors. “They worked so hard to help us to become who we are today.”

Demar Veitch: From Flagger to Assistant Supervisor
Demar Veitch was not new to seeing what The Power of Possible could do for him. Having returned to the community in 2019, he worked with Wildcat Service Corp., another company of The Fedcap Group, on various neighborhood improvement projects in College Point, Queens. Thanks to the IMPACT program, he enrolled in training and became OSHA-certified as a construction flagger.

Through 13 years of re-arrests Demar realized he “had to figure out another route in life,” and he knew he wanted not just a job, but a job with career potential. At Fedcap, “Miss Kelly looked at me like a person, not a criminal. I had the opportunity to discuss my challenges, my mistakes, and work towards changing my environment.”

Since September 2020, Demar has been working as a flagger, also in College Point, and has worked his way up to being an Assistant Supervisor on a road construction crew. It’s sometimes risky work but Demar takes pride in being part of a team and building something that benefits the community. He’s preparing to become a carpenter’s apprentice. “I’ve got my own place now, and I can’t see myself falling off this path.”

Celebrating Success
For the IMPACT team – the counselors, mentors, instructors, managers and participants –the hope is that more individuals re-entering the community will be encouraged to work with the IMPACT program to build new paths for their futures.

Posted on

Erica Overcomes Barriers, Gains Employment Helping Others Do the Same, with Support from Fedcap Inc’s Families Forward in Maine

Erica Overcomes Barriers, Gains Employment Helping Others Do the Same, with Support from Fedcap Inc’s Families Forward in Maine

• After fleeing a domestic violence situation, Erica received critical support from Fedcap Inc’s Families Forward in Maine and gained employment and economic stability for herself and her daughter.

Erica Lynch traveled cross-country from California to Maine with “a backpack of barriers,” including the need to get her and her 18-month-old daughter away from domestic violence.

Erica dreamed of starting a new life but was overwhelmed by her past. She held an associate’s degree in substance use counseling, but in order to practice in Maine, she needed to study for a state certification exam. It had been seven years since she had been in college and three years since she had worked in the field. And, at home, she was living with her parents, her grandmother who has dementia, and her very active toddler. Finding the space to focus on studying for the exam was a tremendous challenge.

“I remember sitting on my parents’ front porch, watching my daughter play in the yard, and asking myself, ‘where do I start?’”

Sometimes a person just needs that one other person to believe in them, to help them set goals and break them down into achievable steps.

For Erica, that person was Danielle, the case worker from Fedcap Inc’s Families Forward program who was assigned to Erica after she signed up for TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families). “We’re here to help individuals realize The Power of Possible,” says Danielle. “We help individuals figure out solutions to their barriers, and coach them so they see that their past doesn’t have to affect their future.”

Families Forward is offered to Maine residents in partnership with the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence for people enrolled in its TANF/ASPIRE program. The program’s goal is to help families in Maine achieve a more economically secure future through access to employment, training, and education as well as community resources.

“Danielle showed me empathy and kindness, and it was the first time in a long time that I did not feel judged or like a complete failure. I developed goals with Danielle, goals that I would have put on the back burner if it weren’t for her.”

A New Community and a New Purpose
Danielle connected Erica with the Aroostook Recovery Center, where she volunteered 18 hours weekly as a recovery coach. Erica was also allowed to use Fedcap Inc’s Houlton computer room, giving her the time and space she needed to study – and a lot more. “Fedcap was my community. I was new to the area and did not know anyone. Having a reason to get up and get dressed to go somewhere and to do something productive meant the world to me. Everyone in the Houlton office welcomed me with open arms. I felt like a human being. It gave me hope that I could overcome my circumstances.”

Families Forward provides layers of services to help participants overcome multiple barriers to meet their goals. The program goes beyond goal-setting and helps individuals break down each of the barriers to achieve their goals. For Erica and Danielle, it meant that Danielle checked in with Erica regularly to help her stay on course with her studying. “Danielle had faith in me when I had no faith in myself,” says Erica.

On the date of Erica’s exam, Fedcap Inc. paid for the gas for the 100-mile drive to the Bangor test location. The program also paid for childcare coverage so that Erica’s daughter was safely looked after.

“I passed my substance use counselor certification exam and Danielle was the first person I called to tell.”

After Erica landed a job with Aroostook Mental Health Center, and Danielle continued to ensure that Erica had what she needed to succeed.

Helping Others Break Down Barriers
Erica was so profoundly moved by all the support she received to overcome the limiting beliefs and day-to-day challenges that could have held her back that she decided she wanted to become part of the Fedcap Inc team, which is not unusual for the program. Thirty percent of the Maine-based staff have been participants in the program.

“Even though I had worked so hard to get back into the field I am passionate about, I still was yearning for something more,” says Erica. “I told Danielle if there was ever a position open, I would like to apply, and in January 2022, I was given that opportunity.”

Erica is now helping others realize The Power of Possible. “Today I get to be a part of the team that helped me piece my life back together. I get to work with individuals who need help getting back on the paths they were destined for. I know what it is like to have barriers and not know where to start. Today I get to assist with overcoming such barriers. Today I get to give back as a Families Forward staff member.”

Support Families Forward

Do you want to help more people like Erica gain economic stability and experience The Power of Possible?

Select Families Forward on our donation page and your generosity will go directly to the Families Forward program in Maine.

Thank you!
Click Here
Posted on

Fedcap Inc. Launches the Veterans Forward Program to Help Veterans, Service Members and Their Families Across the State of Maine

Fedcap Inc. Launches the Veterans Forward Program to Help Veterans, Service Members and Their Families Across the State of Maine

• Fedcap Inc.’s Veterans Forward Received $500,000 from the Federal Government to Kickstart the Program to Help Homeless Veterans

July 29, 2022

South Portland, ME—Fedcap Inc. is launching Veterans Forward to provide veterans, service members, and their families critically-needed support in emergency situations such as housing, substance use treatment, home heating assistance, food and clothing, and job training across the state of Maine. Fedcap Inc.’s Veterans Forward is essential given rising costs due to record inflation that put additional financial stress on many military families.

Grant Collins, President of Fedcap Inc. said, “We must do a better job of serving our heroes and their families who have sacrificed so much for their country, and launching Veterans Forward will help provide the support they deserve. Fedcap history is deeply rooted in serving service members, veterans and their families given we were founded by WWI veterans. This is another example of our commitment to improving the economic well-being of the people of Maine.”

Fedcap Inc. worked with the former Veterans Count Maine chapter, led by its Treasurer Dennis Brown, to create Veterans Forward. Brown said, “Fedcap welcomed us with open arms. Fedcap was quick to recognize this important need and immediately began putting the pieces together. We thank Fedcap for their dedication to our service members, veterans, and their families.”

To help kickstart the Veterans Forward program, the United States Department of Labor awarded Veterans Forward $500,000 for a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) to help homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness gain stability, get training and pursue high earning careers in Maine’s leading industries.

For more information about, or to support Fedcap Maine’s Veterans Forward program visit https://fedcapmaine.org/veteransforward/.

ABOUT FEDCAP IN MAINE
When it comes to helping Mainers, Fedcap knows how to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. Known widely for their program Families Forward and their excellence in employment services, Fedcap is expanding on what they do best to meet an ever-growing need—to serve Maine’s veterans. For over six years, Fedcap Inc. has provided services in Maine for low-income families, including veterans, through their Families Forward program. Since implementing Families Forward in 2016 they have served over 20,000 Mainers. Families Forward has assisted Mainers to secure 12,000 jobs, adding hundreds of millions to the Maine economy. Families Forward has placed more than 5,000 participants into educational activities including certification and college degree programs. Families Forward is the largest and most successful workforce development program in Maine. With sixteen offices in Maine from Sanford to Fort Kent, it has well-established community connections and the resources to provide quality care to our veterans.

CONTACT
Michael Bernier, AVP Communications/Operations, Fedcap Inc. – Serving Maine
220 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland ME
Mobile: (207) 295-5521 | Office: (207) 835-8318
mbernier@fedcap.org



Posted on

Fedcap Inc. Awarded $4 Million by the U.S. Department of Labor to Provide Pre-Release Job Training and Wrapround Services to Incarcerated People Prior to Release

Fedcap Inc. Awarded $4 Million by the U.S. Department of Labor to Provide Pre-Release Job Training and Wrapround Services to Incarcerated People Prior to Release

July 26, 2022

(New York, NY) Fedcap Inc. was awarded a $4MM Pathway Home program grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide training and employment services to adults reentering the workforce following incarceration in a local jail or state correctional facility. Fedcap Inc. will provide training and employment services to incarcerated people in New York City who are scheduled for release within 20 to 270 days from the time they enroll in the project.

Fedcap Inc. was one of only 18 organizations in 14 states to be awarded a grant and has a record of success working with individuals reentering the community, one-on-one counseling to prepare individuals with post-release needs, providing training in work readiness, resume development, workplace culture, as well in-demand workforce certifications such as construction industry training and custodial maintenance training. Fedcap Inc. will also work with local employers who need motivated staff that are trained and ready for a fresh start in the community. A recent report by the Brookings Institution has found lower recidivism from returning citizens if they have sustainable employment.

Grant Collins, Senior Vice President of Workforce Development, said “We thank the U.S. Department of Labor for this critically important grant to help transition returning citizens into sustainable careers through Fedcap Inc.’s successful pre-release job training and services. A sustainable job has been shown to reduce crime and recidivism. This important federal funding will help ensure that those individuals reentering the community are set up for success.”

About Fedcap Inc.
Fedcap Inc. has served more than 111K individuals, including placing nearly 9,000 individuals from underserved communities in jobs.

Fedcap Inc. is one of the companies of The Fedcap Group that is dedicated to workforce development. The Fedcap Group is a global network of nonprofit agencies dedicated to advancing the lives of people with barriers to economic and social well-being and has developed scalable, innovative and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs since 1935.  The Fedcap Group generates more than $400M of revenue annually to serve over 250,000+ people each year across an international footprint. The work of The Fedcap Group is structured within four major areas of practice—workforce development, educational services, health services, and economic development— and delivered through a growing number of top-tier companies—each focused on helping people achieve long term economic well-being.

Contact:
Susan Walsh
The Fedcap Group
swalsh@fedcap.org
347-642-5968

Posted on

Fedcap Inc. Justice Initiatives Efforts Are Reducing Recidivism and Praised by NYC Department of Corrections

Fedcap Inc. Justice Initiatives Efforts Are Reducing Recidivism and Praised by NYC Department of Corrections

June 15, 2022 – On May 19th at around noon, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) and NYC Department of Corrections (DOC) contacted Silvia Estrada, Director of Justice Initiatives for Fedcap Inc. Nineteen men were being released from Rikers Island early as part of a 6A initiative (Rikers Early Release due to COVID), and 14 of them would be coming to Fedcap between 6pm and midnight. The men didn’t know they were being released until that day. Would she be ready to receive them?

Sylvia and her team sprang into action. Staff members from Fedcap Inc.’s IMPACT and LINK programs offered to stay as late as needed to welcome the men home. They prepared hygiene kits, metro cards, gift cards, snacks and cell phones for the men to have upon arrival. Most of those returning from Rikers have homes to return to, but for those that don’t IMPACT coordinates with an agency that places people in hotels designated for reentry.


At 9 pm, the DOC bus arrived at Fedcap offices at Gertz Plaza in Queens. “The gentlemen were greeted by our team with smiles, lots of clapping and all the goodies,” Silvia said. “Seeing their faces brought joy to all of us. Every single one of them thanked us and were extremely appreciative. We heard statements like ‘When I woke up this morning, I never imagined I would be out and coming home to all of this, it is incredible.’”

To date, the IMPACT team (Integrated Model through Programming, Accountability, Community and Training) has received 46 individuals from Rikers early release, and 30-40 more are expected in the next few weeks. The team follows up with each individual on a weekly basis as part of an early release contract they sign with DOC.

All were enrolled in LINK, (Leveraging Inspiration, Networks and Knowledge) Fedcap Inc.’s Rikers-based program, where 22 fulltime staff work on Rikers. The program is active in four of the nine jails on Rikers Island. LINK engages with about 700 people daily, providing case management, mentorship, work readiness and hard skills training. After release, individuals are enrolled in IMPACT, Fedcap Inc.’s reentry program. Each individual actively engages in services to meet their ongoing reentry needs, with the goal of successful integration into the community and reduction in recidivism. Reentry supports include mentorship, medical and mental health referrals, substance use treatment referrals, work readiness, sector-based training, job placement, retention services, and case management.

The yeoman work of Silvia and her team elicited high praise from DOC. “I wanted to personally offer our sincere gratitude to you and your team for your commitment and dedication to those assigned to our care,” wrote Francis Torres, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Programs and Community Partnerships, DOC. “The dignified way in which Fedcap welcomes and celebrates their reintegration is unparalleled. We know the work we will do is always wrapped in uncertainty and yet all we can do is try. And Fedcap does that and more.”

The programs have an impressive record of success in their first year of operation. Employment metrics show that 108 individuals served by the program are actively employed—about 25 percent of those enrolled since rollout. There have been only two rearrests, not even a single percent of those served. The program has great value in reducing overcrowding and fights at Rikers Island. Those eligible for early release are noted for good behavior and have no incidents on their records.

Grant Collins, Senior Vice President of Workforce Development, The Fedcap Group, praised the teams’ efforts. “The work that we do providing much needed in-community services for those coming out of incarceration is vital. Silvia and her team continue to do exceptional work right here in New York City. Congratulations to the entire Fedcap Inc. criminal justice team serving the community inside Riker’s Island and those returning to New York City.”

Posted on

April is Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. This special recognition, created in 1972 by the autism community, was changed from autism “awareness” to “acceptance” because the community wanted to move the conversation away from “awareness,” a word it considers stigmatizing, as if autism were a threat about which we must be vigilant.

Autism is certainly not that. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a developmental disability characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. There are many subtypes of autism, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. Over 7 million people in the United States are on the autism spectrum–people from all racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. According to the CDC, one in 44 children is diagnosed with autism.

The increased prevalence of autism, and a growing understanding of what it is and what it is not, underscores the urgent need for education, equitable access to diagnostic evaluations, and early interventions that have a significant impact on lifelong outcomes. Young people and adults with autism urgently need greater access to employment. Up to 85 percent of college educated adults with autism are unemployed, and over 70 percent of adults with autism are underemployed or unemployed. Especially in a time of chronic labor shortages, companies could benefit by hiring more people who have autism and are neurodiverse—these individuals bring a wide range of skills to the workplace that can be harnessed with modest accommodations.

The companies of The Fedcap Group have long embraced best practices around autism evaluation and early intervention, providing evidence-based treatment for children and their families living with ASD. Our companies are at the cutting edge of advocacy, employment, and support services for young people and adults living with autism—having just established the Greenleaf Neurodiversity Center in Austin TX, helping young people transition to rewarding, community-based jobs. These services have had a profound impact on so many lives—and stand as a powerful rebuke to the stigmatization of autism, and a resounding affirmation of acceptance. All of our lives are richer when people of all abilities participate fully in community life.

Please join us during Autism Acceptance Month in celebrating people of all abilities. Thank you for striving toward making acceptance the new normal.

Posted on

Fedcap’s Document Management Brings One Stop Solutions to Business

Fedcap’s Document Management Brings One Stop Solutions to Business

The Fedcap Group has been recognized as a pioneer in social enterprise since its founding 87 years ago. That proud tradition lives on today in the work of Fedcap Rehabilitation’s Digital Imaging and Document Management team.

Under the leadership of Kevin Pugh, the team’s excellent work has left a trail of very satisfied internal customers. “When the Document Management team started working at different customer sites, we talked about delivering the best quality of services and viewing all opportunities as potential customers with referrals,” Kevin said. “I am extremely proud of the staff because of their dedication and commitment to successfully establish the first mobile scanning team at Fedcap.”

Fedcap’s Career Services program offers youth and adults (18-24 years) applying for or receiving cash assistance benefits opportunities to help them increase their job skills and build a career that will lead to success and financial security. Referrals are made through the program’s contract partner, NYC Human Resources Administration.

Each year Career Services programs are audited by the city and state, and are required to maintain client records, said Kelly Washburn, Senior Director of Workforce Development. The program, which began in 2017, was paper-based for its first years of operation, generating mountains of paperwork including intake forms, job search logs and assessments that were stored in hundreds of boxes in file rooms.

The excessive storage created major headaches. Document retrieval was inefficient and time-consuming. Storage was expensive, as there was no room to keep all the boxes on site. Fedcap Inc. maintains a risk register for all programs of factors that could adversely impact program operations or contract requirements. The paper overload problem in Career Services was part of the register.

When the pandemic hit and referrals were put on hold, the team saw an opportunity to digitize the documents. Kelly heard about the document management team from a colleague, and a decision was made to use this valuable internal resource. Within a week Kevin assessed the job, and provided cost breakdowns and a proposal. Coordinating with the program’s operations manager, Kevin brought the equipment on site, and then brought in his team.

The work began in October—converting documents into images and digitizing the entire filing system—and was completed by the end of March. The program is far more organized and efficient now. Client files stored in a secure SharePoint folder can be accessed with the click of a button, whereas before staff might have searched for hours or days. Digitization never would have happened without the document management team, as it would have taken staff years of work and cut into valuable client time.

”The team was super professional and efficient, and made everything so easy for us,” Kelly said. “They treated us like any valued commercial customer, and far exceeded expectations.”

When Silvia Estrada started her current position as Director of Justice Initiatives for Fedcap Inc., filing and recordkeeping for the Rikers SMART program were paper-based. With no formalized system and piles of boxes and paperwork, Silvia reached out to Kevin for help. The team picked up the boxes of documents and organized them so that every single case file had a name and could be easily accessed. When the SMART contract was up for renewal the team returned a second time to organize documents for the jail-based program, and again the team came through, completing the job within a week.

The impact of the document management team’s work has been remarkable, saving uncountable staff hours. The program is audited regularly by its funder, NYC Department of Corrections–there have been three separate audits since the digitization effort. In the past it took a month to prepare for audits, and required a team of five people to search for the relevant documents. Now, it takes a few days, and Silvia can do it herself. “This is an amazing resource that a few years ago we didn’t know existed,” she said.

While Fedcap Rehab’s Article 31 clinic in the Bronx maintains electronic records for current clients, it had a massive backlog of paper records that it was obliged to maintain for six years. Kevin’s team came to the location and did the scanning work onsite, and arranged for proper disposal of paper records.

“Kevin devised a one-stop solution for us, and did it in accordance with HIPPA requirements,” said Ed Bolognini, Executive Director of Wildcat and ReServe. “They delivered platinum-level service ahead of schedule and at an excellent price. Whenever I call Kevin with a question he calls me back ASAP and remembers every detail about the job. This is social enterprise at its best, delivering a quality product while having an impact in keeping with our mission.”

To find out how our Print Imaging and Document Management Services can capture and maintain your vital data, contact Kevin Pugh, Document Management Manager, at kpugh@fedcap.org.

Posted on

Celebrating the Strength and Tenacity of Women

Celebrating the Strength and Tenacity of Women

March is National Women’s History Month, which recognizes the contributions of women to history, society and culture. The month-long observance, celebrated since 1987, honors women who changed history—women like Abigail Adams, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks—and countless others who, despite systemic discrimination, fought for equality and justice, and achieved greatness in their chosen field of endeavor.

Despite the incredible courage and hard work of generations of women, we are still a long way from an equitable society. Women constitute 27 percent of Congress, but over half the population. At Fortune 500 companies, women account for just over seven percent of CEOs. Women make up only 28 percent of the STEM workforce. Women’s median earnings are 80.8 percent those of men. A black woman has to work 19 months to earn what white men do in a year, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. Latina women earn $0.57 for every dollar earned by white men.

Across the U.S., 15.5 percent of women live in poverty compared with 11.9 percent of men. Retired women are twice as likely as retired men to live in poverty. Workplace sexual harassment and assault are common, and drive many women from their jobs. Sixty-six percent of female service members report sexual harassment or assault. As many as one in four women are victims of domestic violence.

These inequalities and injustices were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a disproportionate impact on women’s participation in the workforce, placed greater burdens on paid and unpaid caregivers, and increased rates of domestic violence. Today, the constitutional right to abortion is threatened as States seek to restrict and deny critical reproductive health care and bodily autonomy.

Yet women everywhere, inspired by heroines who changed history, are making great strides in the ongoing fight for equality. According to A Proclamation on Women’s History Month, 2022 by President Joe Biden—“Women of the labor movement are achieving monumental reforms to help all workers secure the better pay, benefits, and safety they deserve. LGBTQI+ women and girls are leading the fight for justice, opportunity, and equality — especially for the transgender community. Women and girls continue to lead groundbreaking civil rights movements for social justice and freedom, so that everyone can realize the full promise of America.”

The companies of The Fedcap Group are represented by women at every level, and we are stronger for it. Please join us during this Women’s History Month in honoring women who have changed the world, and those who continue the struggle for equality and fairness.

Posted on

Fedcap Inc.’s Kelly Washburn appointed to NYCETC Workforce Policy Strategy Council

Fedcap Inc.’s Kelly Washburn appointed to NYCETC Workforce Policy Strategy Council

January 14, 2022 — New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC), the nation’s largest city-based workforce development association with over 200 members providing jobs for more than 600,000 people, this week announced the 27 inaugural members of its new Workforce Policy Strategy Council—a group of workforce development experts that includes Kelly Washburn, Senior Director of Workforce Development, Fedcap Inc.

NYCETC works to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the skills, training, and education needed to thrive in the local economy, and that every business is able to maintain a highly skilled workforce. The Policy Council, a new council within the Coalition, will provide additional space for NYCETC members to inform policy recommendations and strategies, and develop a vehicle for more active external policy engagement with key stakeholders.

“We are delighted to have this incredible group of people serve on the inaugural Workforce Policy Strategy Council,” said NYCETC CEO Jose Ortiz, Jr. “By using their direct service experience and connection to the communities they support and work with, the members of the Policy Council will be drivers of system-wide advocacy and growth. Their voices and knowledge are critical to creating a talent and worker centric recovery and economy propel.”

The Council and its members will be actively involved in NYCETC advocacy, ideation and practice, using their direct service expertise on specific sectors, communities and program models to inform and enact NYCETC priorities and strategy. The goal of the Council is to move innovative ideas and solutions in workforce and economic development forward by empowering practitioners to be active advocates.

“Kelly brings tremendous NYC experience and a long track record of strong delivery, performance, and leadership to the NYCETC Policy Strategy Council as it works to develop systems solutions and innovative ideas to meet the City’s demand for 21st century workers,” said Grant Collins, SVP Workforce Development, The Fedcap Group “Kelly is ideally positioned to inform and establish the new council’s priorities as a new group of city leaders and mayoral administration put their workforce development and training plans into place.”

In addition to regular meetings, members of the NYCETC Policy Strategy Council members will engage in advocacy activities including testifying at hearing, participating in social media campaigns, attending press conferences and rallies, site visits, providing success stories, and meeting with NYC council members.

“NYCETC is a great organization,” Kelly said. “We are proud to be a member and are thrilled that Fedcap Inc. will have a seat at the table when the new Policy Strategy Council first meets on January 18th. I look forward to working with NYCETC members and stakeholders to develop unified goals, and to address priorities such as a pervasive digital skills gap, increasing financial literacy, and ensuring that people have access not just to jobs, but to 360 degree wraparound services that will support them in building sustainable career paths out of poverty.”

Posted on

Remembering Herb Sturz – Our Colleague, Friend and Champion

Remembering Herb Sturz – Our Colleague, Friend and Champion

It is with great sorrow that we mark the passing of Herb Sturz, a legendary social entrepreneur, towering figure in criminal justice reform, and great friend and supporter of The Fedcap Group. Herb had a genius for bringing people together and getting things done. He was a trailblazer with a passion for justice whose life work and impact are felt worldwide. He leaves an indelible legacy that will inspire future generations.

“Herb was a beloved friend, and I am deeply saddened by his passing,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “He had the ability to take complex issues and simplify them to a few points, to create an environment in which everyone could get on board. Despite his towering achievements over nearly 50 years, Herb was always humble, and never sought power—only results. His passing is a great loss to all who believe in justice.”

Herb’s life was dedicated to fighting for the vulnerable and disadvantaged He had an unshakable belief that people deserve a second chance, regardless of their past mistakes. His accomplishments are legion. Herb was the founder or co-founder of Wildcat, ReServe, TASC, the Center for Court Innovation, Project Renewal, Vera Institute of Justice, Neighborhood Improvement Project and numerous other organizations. He served as New York City Deputy Mayor for Criminal Justice and Chairman of the New York City Planning Commission, Herb was a member of the editorial board of The New York Times and, he spearheaded a decades-long effort to close the jails on Rikers Island.

Herb’s impact on The Fedcap Group cannot be overstated. In 1972 he founded Wildcat, the nation’s first organization to design and implement a transitional work program for unemployed persons with conviction histories. He was the force behind Wildcat becoming part of The Fedcap Group. In 2005 he co-founded ReServe, to place experienced workers over 55 years of age with government and social services agencies to help fill critical staffing gaps. “ReServists” have provided many millions of hours of service, creating huge impact in poverty fighting, education, health care and capacity building. In 2013, ReServe joined The Fedcap Group and continues to grow and expand its impact. In 2007, Herb and partners, with generous help from the Atlantic Philanthropies, turned Single Stop—a national organization committed to building pathways out of poverty build pathways out of poverty for people with barriers to economic well-being—into a separate nonprofit agency. To date, Single Stop has helped 1.9 million households recover $6 billion in benefits. In 2017 Single Stop became part of The Fedcap Group and its technology continues to help thousands find the critical government supports they need. View The Fedcap Group’s tribute to Herb Sturz.

A child of immigrants who came through Ellis Island, Herb’s career began in the 1950s, when he wrote a 10-part series on the Bill of Rights for Boys’ Life magazine. The feature led to a meeting with Louis Schweitzer, an activist millionaire. Together they formed the Bail Reform Project, which spared many low-level offenders from long prison stays and served as a national model. The two men founded The Vera Institute of Justice in 1961. The agency undertook groundbreaking work in criminal justice reform that continues today and generated close to 60 other projects related to criminal justice, community courts, prison reform, addiction, homelessness and job training.

In 1967 Herb founded Project Renewal, which provides an array of integrated programs and services to the most vulnerable New Yorkers. He founded Wildcat Service Corporation in 1972, the nation’s first organization to implement a transitional work program for unemployed persons with criminal convictions.

1975 was a busy year for Herb. He founded Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest nonprofit victim assistance agency that touches the lives of more than 250,000 children, adults, and families affected by crime and abuse in NYC. He entered government as Deputy Mayor for Criminal Justice, and later, City Planning Commission Chair under Mayor Ed Koch. As Chair, Herb developed a number of neighborhood-planning initiatives, including an Arson Strike Force, which sought to combat the epidemic of fires ravaging tenements in low-income neighborhoods.

In 1998, Herb founded The After-School Corporation (today called Expanded Schools), creating the nation’s first citywide system of quality K-12 after-school programs. At Herb’s urging, George Soros, the billionaire investor and founder of the Open Society Institute (where Herb was a trustee), made a five-year challenge grant of $125 million. The investment paid off, with matching public and private funding of over $375 million supporting 250 programs that serve over 40,000 children.

In 1999, Herb helped create the Afterschool Alliance, an advocacy group that raises awarenessabout the importance of making quality, affordable programs available to all children. The Alliance currently includes 163 mayors, 106 police chiefs, and 63 prosecutors, along with many social service agencies and major corporations. He helped put together Afterschool Congressional Caucuses in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives.

Mayor Ed Koch took office in 1978 promising to end “inhumane conditions” at NYC jails. He set about making good on his promise by naming Herb Sturz, Deputy Mayor for Criminal Justice, a title later changed to Coordinator of Criminal Justice. In 1979 Mayor Koch and NY State Governor Hugh Carey announced a plan for the city to lease Rikers Island to the state for 99 years for $200 million to be used to build five new jails in the boroughs and rehabilitate Rikers. Under the plan, Rikers would house only those convicted of serious crimes, not those awaiting trial or sentencing. The deal was negotiated by Herb Sturz and Robert Morgado, the Governor’s secretary.

During two days of hearings about the plan in October 1979, Herb described the numerous Rikers Island riots and court battles, and “an alarming number of suicides.” He said there were “two basic things wrong: it is in the wrong place and would need $100 million in repairs to make it safe”. He said the lease deal would allow the city to rid itself of Rikers Island and “make a fresh start to build the best system in the nation.”

Herb’s long fight to shutter Rikers Island was realized in 2019, when the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform voted to close the jails on Rikers Island. “Herb was a dear friend and colleague,” said Michael Weinstein, Executive Director of Impact Matters, ReServe Board Chair and Single Stop board member. “He was someone who had great ideas and got things done, and always looked to the future. He was very in involved in closing down Rikers and turning it into something much better. It’s sad he won’t see it happen, but it will happen.”

It is hard to imagine New York City without the impact of Herb Sturz. Herb was much more than a visionary social reformer. He was a great listener, a warm, compassionate man who was a friend and mentor to so many. He never dismissed or made assumptions about people who held opposing views, and never lost sight of his goals. His quiet powers of persuasion helped to make the world a better place.

Herb will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on.