Director of Workforce Systems Stefanie Bradshaw and Career Coach consultant Kimari Williams attended the Project Rebound event in September at the California State University East Bay (CSUEB) campus in Hayward, California.

CSUEB is launching its Project Rebound program, a special admissions and support program for formerly incarcerated students. Founded in 1967, Project Rebound has helped hundreds of students earn California State University degrees while working to promote restorative justice, reduce recidivism, and empower individuals through higher education. Currently, 14 CSU campuses have Project Rebound programs working with formerly incarcerated students.

Career Center staff had an opportunity to connect with other area organizations and advocacy groups that support re-entry. They received the tools to create/enhance the employment services that the College offers to include the Justice Impacted community. These tools include new professional organization contacts, funding opportunities, and potential partnerships.

Director Bradshaw stated that “through these new connections and relationships and by leveraging the county Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant funding that the career center currently receives, I feel confident that we can build a thriving Justice Impacted/Re-Entry program at CoA.”