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7650 Newcastle Road
Chad Shop 19/20
Stockton, CA 95215

Phone: (888) 332-6531
Fax: (209) 946-0901
Email: info@meritpartners.org

 

Hard work is paying off for young ex-offender

By: C. Friesen

 

July 2011

 

Sam grew up in the Central Valley of California raised by a single mother of eight children. When he was incarcerated in the N.A. Chaderjean Youth Correctional Facility (Chad) he had never held a skilled job.

 

While Sam was serving time at Chad, Merit ePartners, a private non-profit corporation, gave him a chance to work and be paid a fair market wage while he learned new technology skills. Using corporate e-waste, Merit ePartners operates a surplus electronics asset recovery business within the confines of Chad as part of California’s Free Venture Program. Merit employees pay taxes and have mandated deductions of about 20% each for room and board, a victim’s fund, personal savings available to the employee upon their release, and family support (if appropriate).

 

Merit hired Sam two years before his release and he began as an electronic materials handler obtaining forklift certification and demonstrating progress in Merit’s JobWise® soft skills. Before his release in January 2011, Sam learned the skills of an electronic asset recovery technician and was a floor leader.
He also took advantage of Merit’s study materials and began learning the skills that would be required for CompTIA A+ certification. Merit ePartners’ Manager of Training, Bobbie Kenoly, indicated that Sam “always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and ambition. His work ethic was impeccable and his ‘can do’ attitude was the driving force behind his work crew’s success. He is a natural leader that mentored others and set the benchmark for which his co-workers strive to attain.”

 

When Sam was released he relocated to an urban area away from home and with funding from Merit ePartners enrolled in The Stride Center’s technology training program. Stride is a non-profit organization dedicated to “harnessing technology and changing lives.” They are part of a continuum of support that is allowing Sam’s hard work to change his future.

 

Just six months after release Sam has obtained his first CompTIA A+ certification and has enrolled in additional training for further CompTIA certifications. As Barrie Hathaway Stride’s CEO reported, “He worked hard, gladly followed our advice and training protocols and impressed everyone he met. His success is very much his own doing.”

 

Sam now has a full-time job that he obtained after being hired as a short-term, temporary, employee. As his new employer stated, “His hard work, willingness to do any job, and his communication skills impressed us.”

 

Merit’s employees who worked under Sam when he was a floor leader had a chuckle when they heard he had impressive communication skills. Early in his Merit employment they didn’t remember him as a positive communicator, but consistent feedback from Merit managers and problem solving with peers all contributed to hard work and skills that now make Sam a valuable employee and give him a future as one of society’s positive contributors.

 

Merit exists to provide jobs and training for those most in need of an opportunity for change. Sam took that opportunity and made it count for his future.

 

NOTE: Youth offenders may have an opportunity to have their records erased, therefore Sam is a fictitious name to protect his identity.

Copyright 2011 Merit ePartners, Inc.