Hennepin County Library: Freedomticket

Build a Bridge to Your Children With Books

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CDT

Discover More About Reading to Children and Fun Family Programs at the Library

Every month, Hennepin County Library staff and community volunteers visit the Adult Corrections Facility to share with facility residents how the simple act of reading aloud to their children can better prepare their children for school and strengthen the parental bond. During the three-week Read to Me program, residents learn family literacy basics, read-aloud techniques and about the great family programs available at the library. On the last week, the residents select age-appropriate books and then record themselves reading. The books and a CD of the recording are sent to the children.

In addition to increasing academic success and developing stronger parent-child relationships, reading to your child also builds their basic speech and communication skills, teaches them the basics of reading, enhances their concentration and promotes that reading is fun!

It’s also a great way for parents to be more involved in their children’s lives. Studies have demonstrated that children with involved fathers have enhanced social skills, higher self-esteem, more self-control, increased curiosity and higher intelligence quotients based on the father’s level of nurturing. Mothers also benefit and mother-child relationships are more positive, whether the parents live together or not, if the father-child relationships are positive. Involved fathers also experience less incarceration, substance abuse and accidental or premature deaths.

There are five simple ways to prepare your children to become readers: talk together, sing together, read together, write together and play together. Mem Fox, author of Reading Magic, recommends that parents spend at least 10 minutes every day reading aloud to their children.

In addition to book, movies and music for children, Hennepin County Library offers free storytimes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and families. While reading to children is important, so are the choices parents make when selecting books. Library staff can help you find age-appropriate books and early literacy resources. They also show parents how to help their children get ready for school or find resources for homework. Many libraries have play areas for families to play and learn together, as well as computers located near the children’s section for adults who are accompanied by children, so adults can look for jobs online or do other computer-related tasks and still be close enough to check on their children.

The Read to Me program has received national recognition and numerous awards. However, the real success of the program can be noted in the comments of past participants such as Joey, a former resident at ACF who said "I felt the Read to Me experience was a great opportunity to touch base with my child in the wake of my absence. Her response to it was a positive one. It kept me alive when I was unable to be there to read to her. And I feel that we were able to still make a connection, and that was the most important part."

Funding for Read to Me is provided by the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. If you are currently a resident at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility and would like to participate in the program, please talk with library staff when they visit the facility on Tuesdays. If you are in a state prison, a Reading is Fundamental (RIF) or other program similar to Read to Me may be offered at your facility.

After release, please visit any of the 41 Hennepin County libraries or online at www.hclib.org/BirthTo6 to learn more about early literacy, reading aloud to children and selecting age-appropriate books for your children.

Fair Shake Reentry Resource Center

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 CDT

Fair Shake is a multi-stakeholder reentry resource center based in Wisconsin. They support not only those coming home from prison but all stakeholder groups involved in the reentry process including: corrections and reentry professionals, employers and co-workers, property managers, family and friends, and the larger community.

In order to provide a second chance to former prisoners who wish to engage in a pro-social life, we need a space where they can demonstrate their intentions and character. Fair Shake is creating these important tools because reentry success involves us all.

Much of their information is available for all visitors, such as their Resource Directory, Reentry Packet and links to supportive websites including: information for families and children of prisoners, employer tax incentives and bonding programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Learn more about Fair Shake resources and services at www.fairshake.net

Remembering Bo Lozoff

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CDT

It was with tremendous sadness to learn that Bo Lozoff died in a motorcycle accident on November 29, 2012.

Bo was a teacher, author, and singer-songwriter whose work has drawn fans as diverse as His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Public Televisions’s Mister Rogers, who called Bo one of his “personal heroes.” The Utne Reader named Bo “one of America’s 100 spiritual visionaries.” Bo’s first book for adults, We’re All Doing Time, has been hailed by the Village Voice as “one of the ten books everyone in the world should read,” and is widely known by prisoners around the world as “the convict’s Bible.”

Bo started the Prison-Ashram Project to inspire and encourage prisoners and prison staff to recognize their depth as human beings, and to behave accordingly. He felt that the nature of our lives is an incomprehensibly wonderful mystery which each human being can experience only in solitude and silence. Prisoners have the opportunity to dedicate themselves to this inward journey without the distractions and luxuries which occupy many people in the "free world."

To learn more, request Bo's books.

Taming the Tiger Within by Thich Nhat Hanh

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CDT

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers daily guidance for becoming free of the strong emotions that make us suffer the most. Everyone wants peace, but as anyone who has tried to find it knows, the biggest obstacle is often our own powerful emotions.

In Taming the Tiger Within, the author distills the wisdom of his many books into short meditations and contemplations for applying his advice to daily life-for transforming anger, fear, jealousy, and other difficult emotions. An acclaimed scholar, peace activist, and Buddhist master revered by people of all faiths, Thich Nhat Hanh has inspired millions worldwide. Now, he focuses his profound spiritual in-sight on the basic human emotions we all struggle with every day: anger, fear and love.

Drawn from his national bestsellers No Death, No Fear ; Anger ; and Going Home and grounded in the Buddhist practices of mindfulness and compassion, this handbook of meditations and reflections offers readers inspirational and pragmatic techniques for diffusing anger, conquering fear, and cultivating love in every arena of life.

Talking About Trauma

infotech@hclib.org — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Hennepin County Probation Officers Cheryl Tigue and P.J. Bensen about trauma and the new program that addresses it for residents at the women’s section of the Adult Corrections Facility (ACF).

What is trauma and how can it impact someone’s life?
Trauma occurs when a person’s response to an event involves intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Trauma can also be described as a reaction to an event that overwhelms a person physically and psychologically. Trauma can also be used to describe an event and also a reaction or response to an event.

The trauma process begins with an event that overwhelms a person’s physical and psychological systems which lead to a fight, flight, or freeze trauma response. This response sensitizes the nervous system and causes changes in the brain. Trauma can be a result of abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional), exposure to domestic violence, severe natural disasters, war, abandonment, witnessing violence at school and in neighborhoods, personal attack by another person or an animal, kidnapping, bullying, medical procedures, serious injuries or accidents. Stresses in one’s life and reminders of the trauma can lead to painful emotional states that result in one of three categories: retreat, where one isolates oneself, disconnects from one’s social circle and experiences depression and anxiety; engage in self-destructive actions such as substance abuse, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide; or engage in destructive actions such as aggression, violence and rage.

Trauma is quite widespread in our society today. Therefore, organizations that work with people need staff who understand trauma, can recognize and avoid trauma triggers, and know how to adjust behaviors and environments to assist trauma survivors in managing their symptoms and responses.

How is the facility helping residents who have experienced trauma in their lives?
At the women’s section, staff help residents understand what trauma is and how it affects their lives. Staff explain the impact of trauma and the relationships between violence, abuse and their trauma response. Gender-responsive trauma courses as
well as individual support are offered.

Any final suggestions for people who want to learn more about trauma?
We have included a few of the many community resources available to help with trauma:

Crisis Connection
1-866-379-6363

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
1-800-950-6264

National Women’s Health Information Center
1-800-994-9662

Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255

Re-Entry2Work Training in February 2013

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 CDT

The Project for Pride in Living (PPL) Re-Entry2Work (R2W) is a two-week work-readiness training serving people with criminal histories. It’s designed to support steps toward successful re-entry and self-sufficiency by assisting the transition into employment and the community.

Training is FREE! In fact, program graduates receive incentives.

Explore new careers and educational possibilities
Strengthen your work skills in a confidential and fun learning environment
Friendly, experienced staff
Connect with others in the same situation
Guest speakers connect you with resources and valuable information

Who can attend R2W?
R2W is for adults (18+) whose criminal backgrounds are a barrier to entering the workforce.

Class Structure
Classes take place at the PPL Learning Center. The two-week class session runs February 4 - 15, 2013, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., including a break for lunch.

Curriculum
Classes feature professional development lessons, including:

Confidence Building
Effective Communication
Professionalism
Computer Skills
Resumes and Applications
Expungement Options
Job Searching
Interviewing

How can I enroll?
Call the Project for Pride in Living (PPL) at 612-455-5300 to begin the enrollment process.

Making Your Time Count: An Interview with author David Mirambeaux

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with David Mirambeaux, author of “Count-Time: An Offender’s Guide to Success” about his book for people leaving corrections facilities and his work with the Goodwill-Easter Seals FATHER Project.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic. As a young child living in Boston, Mass., I faced many obstacles and didn’t feel like I fit in. I found no solace at home due to my parents’ constant abuse towards each other and toward me.

My hunger for acceptance led me to many activities where I excelled. In high school, I found my passion playing basketball on the varsity team during my freshman year. I felt like I belonged because when I heard the cheers after every play, I felt special. Unfortunately, because of my tumultuous upbringing, I was expelled from multiple schools for either fighting or regularly misbehaving, thus returning to where I felt worthless, with no hope and longing to fit in.

On my 17th birthday, I was introduced to my next passion, illegal drugs. It was during this drug usage when I again felt I like belonged and was special. I fueled this passion for 18 years and accumulated six years in the penitentiary, obtained numerous stab wounds, was shot twice, had two children whom I neglected, lived in multiple states and countries, consistently disappointed my family, had many broken relationships, and attempted suicide on three separate occasions. It was after these suicide attempts that I realized my idea for happiness was wrong and my peace and happiness would come from helping others. I immediately entered treatment and began working toward helping others.

Please tell us more about the Goodwill-Easter Seals FATHER Project.
The FATHER Project’s mission is to assist fathers in overcoming the barriers that prevent them from supporting their children economically and emotionally. Founded in 1999, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota took over the project from the City of Minneapolis in 2004. Since then, it has served hundreds of fathers in the community through an extensive network of collaborative partners. The FATHER Project has received national recognition as an effective and innovative program. In 2012, it received federal funding to expand to other Minnesota communities.

The FATHER Project services include workshops on parenting skills, job search preparedness, setting personal and financial goals and overcoming chemical dependency.

To learn more about the FATHER Project, please contact Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota at (612) 724-3539.

Any final suggestions for people leaving corrections facilities?
The advice I have for offenders is that they should take advantage of everything offered in whatever institution they are in before release, and after release they need to connect with services that offer them reentry assistance as well as mentorship.

Restorative Parenting: Parenting in the Aftermath of Family Violence

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Tuesdays, October 02, 2012 - December 04, 2012
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Domestic abuse affects everyone in the home; when mothers are hurt, children are hurt. Anger, aggression, acting out, sleeping problems, school problems are just a few of the behaviors the children may have as a result of the fear, shame, and blame, they carry. Lutheran Social Service’s Restorative Parenting group provides a warm setting for mothers to gain the skills and support to meet these parenting challenges.

For registration or more information, please call Sandra at 612.879.5211

Sponsored by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Families in Safe Hands and the Domestic Abuse Project Parenting in the Aftermath of Family Violence

Job Training Opportunity

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Catholic Charities Opportunity Center is currently interviewing participants for their 10 week Culinary Skills training program that begins in September.

Culinary Skills Training Program

10 Week Program
Classroom and hands on
Internship
Starting in the beginning of September
Located at the Opportunity Center in Minneapolis

Eligibility

Strong desire to work in the food service industry
Seeking permanent housing
No dependents in custody
Receiving SNAP (Food Support) or is eligible

Please call 612-204-8307 for more information or to set up an interview.

Re-Entry2Work Training in June

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Training is FREE! In fact, program graduates receive incentives.

Explore new careers and educational possibilities
Strengthen your work skills in a confidential and fun learning environment
Friendly, experienced staff
Connect with others in the same situation
Guest speakers connect you with resources and valuable information

Who can attend R2W?
R2W is for adults (18+) whose criminal backgrounds are a barrier to entering the workforce.

Class Structure
Classes take place at the PPL Learning Center. The two-week class session runs June 11 - 22, 2012, Monday-Friday from 8:30am-3:30pm, including a break for lunch.

Curriculum
Classes feature professional development lessons, including:

Confidence Building
Effective Communication
Professionalism
Computer Skills
Resumes and Applications
Expungement Options
Job Searching
Interviewing

How can I enroll?
Call the Project for Pride in Living(PPL) at 612-455-5300 to begin the enrollment process.

Successful Transitions

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Andy Sagvold, Reentry Services program manager, about their programs for people leaving corrections facilities.

How does Goodwill Easter Seals help people leaving corrections facilities?

Goodwill Easter Seals currently has several programs that help individuals successfully transition back into the community following incarceration. The programs vary in their focus, but all work to provide solutions that address the multitude of barriers commonly faced, such as child support compliance and arrears, parenting education, skills training, employment readiness, finding a mentor, resource navigation, mental health and medication concerns.

Services and support for some of the programs are initiated while individuals are still incarcerated and continue in the community upon release. Programs also vary in that they target specific populations – from federal prisoners with documented disabilities to homeless individuals pending release after a few months in the county workhouse.

What types of job training programs do you offer and how can someone sign up?

We offer a variety of skills training programs well-suited for individuals with criminal records to ensure a competitive job in the community. The best options are construction, automotive and customer call center training classes.

We also offer a four day Employment Readiness Training (ERT) that helps assess individuals’ skills and make career options. ERT also is very beneficial in helping individuals answer interview questions about their record as well as providing a videotaped mock interview help individuals gain constructive feedback and increase their interview success.

Some individuals may also be eligible to participate in the Employment Development Services (EDS) program. EDS is a paid transitional work experience program offered at various community and Goodwill Easter Seals locations. Individuals build their job skills and résumés while working on their soft skills and work readiness with both a job site supervisor and a case manager.

With generous support from a variety of funding sources – including federal and state grants, private foundation awards and Goodwill Easter Seals retail earnings – the eligibility requirements for the programs vary greatly. In order to determine which program is available and the best fit, please contact the Reentry Services Intake Coordinator, Christen Munn, at 651-379-583.

What suggestions do you have for someone beginning a job training program after being incarcerated?

Be motivated and ready to succeed – not only for yourself and your family but also for all of the individuals leaving corrections behind you.

Allow the staff to build rapport so they are able to understand, support, and discover ways to address your personal barriers to employment success – whether adjustment anxiety, substance abuse, housing difficulties, mental health concerns or relationship and parenting issues. This approach to services ensures that individuals are prepared to succeed in all aspects of their lives and are not just simply placed in a job. This also solidifies business relationships by ensuring that individuals placed are ready to retain the job and succeed.

Amicus' Inside Change Blog

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Inside Change is a blog created by Amicus for volunteers, donors, ex-offenders, social workers, educators, law enforcement officers, parents and anyone whose life touches that of an inmate, ex-offender or juvenile in trouble.

You’ll find four things there:

Amicus and other experts talking about issues of the moment related to building better lives for those currently or formerly incarcerated

Links and commentary on breaking news connected to Amicus’ work, and opportunities to support and engage more deeply in that work

Stories from the field including conversations and interviews with donors and volunteers, as well as the voices of inmates sharing their stories or views

Posts and short features on the edge of topics—subjects some might consider unrelated to Amicus—to broaden our reach, spark conversations and as always, elicit your comments

For more information about Amicus and their work helping inmates, ex-offenders and juveniles build better lives and stronger communities, go to www.amicususa.org.

The Night Dad Went to Jail by Melissa Higgins

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Books can help young children cope with life's tougher lessons. In this book, animal characters and inviting illustrations gently explore difficult situations. Also, the sidebars offer important and empowering coping tips.

When someone you love goes to jail, you might feel lost, scared, and even mad. What do you do?This story can help young children better cope through the tough times of when a family member is arrested or incarcerated.

Sign Up for the PPL Re-Entry2Work Program

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Training is FREE! In fact, program graduates receive incentives.

Explore new careers and educational possibilities
Strengthen your work skills in a confidential and fun learning environment
Friendly, experienced staff
Connect with others in the same situation
Guest speakers connect you with resources and valuable information

Who can attend R2W?
R2W is for adults (18+) whose criminal backgrounds are a barrier to entering the workforce.

Class Structure
Classes take place at the PPL Learning Center. The two-week class session runs February 13-24, Monday-Friday from 8:30am-2:30pm, including a break for lunch.

Curriculum
Classes feature professional development lessons, including:

Confidence Building
Effective Communication
Professionalism
Computer Skills
Resumes and Applications
Expungement Options
Job Searching
Interviewing

How can I enroll?
Call the Project for Pride in Living(PPL) at 612-455-5300 to begin the enrollment process.

Online Resume Generator

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CDT

This online resume tool guides users through the creation of a resume. Saving capability allows them to return to their work and make revisions. Written and audio tips throughout the tool guide users as they complete each section of the resume.

Willow in a Storm by James Peter Taylor & Kathleen Murphy-Taylor

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Written in a stark, unsentimental style, this compelling memoir shows how one man survived a seemingly impossible existence. As a child, "Jimmy Pete" was repeatedly abused by his adoptive father and family acquaintances. He married young, had a daughter, drifted into crime and ultimately killed a banker accidentally in a botched robbery. Jailed for four decades, Taylor colors his surprising story with vivid anecdotes, never shying away from the sexual and physical violence endemic to prison. The victim of attacks that left him blind and brain-impaired, he nonetheless finds the spiritual safety valve that filigrees this remarkable book, learning to live by "bending like the willow."

The Ex-offender's Job Interview Guide by Caryl and Ron Krannich

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Addressing the many employability issues facing ex-offenders, this book helps people with not-so-hot backgrounds deal with the realities of today's job market, especially face-to-face encounters with reluctant employers who prefer not hiring ex-offenders who may lack good workplace skills and pose risks to follow employees and customers. It offers seasoned advice on how ex-offenders can tell the whole truth and still go on to ace the critical job interview. Focusing on how to identify and respond to red flag behaviors in one's background, individual chapters demonstrate how ex-offenders can turn obvious red flags into green lights by developing excellent communication skills that focus on the positives. These positives include everything from the choice of language to compelling examples and stories of self-transformation and rehabilitation.

Dewey Bozella: Courage and Conviction Lead Aspiring Boxer to Freedom

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Dewey Bozella’s early life was one of hardship and turmoil, having witnessed his father beat his pregnant mother to death as a young boy. Foster care and life on the streets defined his youth until he found his calling in the sport of boxing. He showed promise training at Floyd Patterson’s camp and moved from Brooklyn to make a life for himself in upstate New York. He was a talented young fighter and determined to be a good man. In 1983, Bozella’s life took a dramatic turn when he was convicted of a murder he did not commit. Sentenced to 20 years to life in Sing Sing prison, Bozella maintained his innocence and exhausted every appeal. He was offered more than four separate chances for an early release if he would only admit guilt and show remorse, but Bozella consistently refused to accept freedom under such conditions. Anger at his imprisonment gave way to determination and instead of becoming embittered, he became a model prisoner: earning his GED, bachelors and masters degrees; working as a counselor for other prisoners; and eventually even falling in love and getting married. Through it all, Bozella found strength and purpose through boxing, becoming the light heavyweight champion of Sing Sing Prison.

Bozella Masters Degree and Certificates

Unyielding in his innocence, Bozella never gave up fighting in or out of the ring. He wrote to the Innocence Project daily in his quest for a ray of hope. The law firm WilmerHale eventually took on Bozella’s case and uncovered new evidence that exonerated him. After being in prison more than 26 years, he was finally released in October 2009. Today, Bozella devotes his life to helping others, working with a non-profit that helps recently released prisoners rehabilitate back into the world. He has also returned to boxing as a trainer to kids and aspiring fighters, all the while maintaining his dream to fight one professional fight as a free man.

Read more about Mr. Bozella at www.deweybozella.com/

Employment & Empowerment: An Interview with Twin Cities RISE!

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Twin Cities Rise! (TCR!) about their programs for people leaving corrections facilities.

What is Twin Cities RISE!?
TCR!, a long-term work skills and personal empowerment program for adults living in deep poverty, helps people gain full-time, living wage jobs with benefits. TCR! combines one-on-one coaching, customized work skills instruction, supportive services, internship opportunities, professional employment placement services and our unique Personal Empowerment training to help reduce generational poverty in the Twin Cities. TCR!’s mission is to provide employers with skilled workers – primarily men from communities of color in the Twin Cities area – by training under- and unemployed adults for skilled jobs that pay a living wage of at least $20,000 annually.

How could your program benefit someone leaving a corrections facility?
TCR! works with participants with the most difficult barriers to employment, including substance abuse, low educational attainment, generational poverty and criminal records. With the help of partner organizations and the criminal justice system, we actively recruit people from corrections facilities who need the skills and personal empowerment to rejoin society and the workforce.

What suggestions do you have to empower people facing challenges in life?
We tell participants in our Personal Empowerment training that they are loveable, important and valuable and that their core values can never be taken away. When people tell you that you’re not worthy of having a job, being successful, or having hope for the future, you must remember that simply by being born, you have significant value and a place in this world.

TRC!’s Personal Empowerment training helps participants grow their own self-confidence, learn how to regulate their emotions, develop a problem-solving approach to challenges, and be accountable for their own actions and future. These tools help participants manage everyday challenges more effectively. The training also helps participants build openness to learning and planning skills, laying the foundation for success on the job and in life. Every year, TCR! gives an award to a participant who demonstrates how the training has transformed his or her life. According to one award applicant:

“I had forgotten the basic fundamental that I am lovable, valuable and important…I was at a crossroads. I could keep feeling sorry for myself or take responsibility for where I was in life and make something of it. Personal Empowerment training has taught me that no one can change my attitude but me.”

Personal Empowerment training doesn’t just transform the person who takes the class. By changing the way the participant thinks and interacts with others, the participant’s family and community also change. As another participant said:

“Every interaction I have with the people in my life, including family and friends, has become an opportunity to pass along the flame of empowerment…I hand them a spark, a key to a door they might not have noticed before.”

If you have questions or would like to contact TCR!, please call the Minneapolis office at (612) 338-0295 or the St. Paul office at (651) 603-8520. You can also learn more online at www.twincitiesrise.org.

Sign Up for PPL's Re-Entry2Work (R2W) Program

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is organizing its third Re-Entry2Work class for this October and they’re now taking applications! The Re-Entry2Work class is a two-week work-readiness training serving people with criminal histories. It’s designed to support successful re-entry and self-sufficiency by assisting the transition into employment and the community. The class will run from October 3rd through October 14th, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Please call PPL at 612-455-5300 to begin the enrollment process.

Re-Entry2Work (R2W) is a two-week work-readiness training serving people with criminal histories. It’s designed to support steps toward successful re-entry and self-sufficiency by assisting the transition into employment and the community.

* Explore new careers and educational possibilities as you strengthen your work skills in a confidential and fun learningenvironment.

* Training is FREE! In fact, program graduates receive incentives.

* Friendly, experienced staff assist you with your concerns abouttransitioning into employment.

* Fellow classmates are going through similar circumstances, sothis is a great chance to talk with peers.

* Guest speakers address issues related to your successful return to work.

* Supportive staff are ready and available to help connect you toother important resources.

Families & Incarceration: An Interview with Tommy Watson

infotech@hclib.org — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Tommy Watson, principal at Palmer Lake Elementary in Brooklyn Park, about his childhood, setting motivations and how people can overcome challenges in life.

How did growing up with incarcerated family members impact you?
As a kid, I spent a lot of time living in foster homes, crisis centers, motel rooms, and living with family and friends. I arrived to play football for the University of Minnesota in 1992, after living in nearly 25 different homes while growing up with heroin-addicted parents. During this time, both my mom and dad were in prison; my younger brother was in prison; my grandmother (last legal guardian) was in a nursing home; my oldest sister was on the streets of Denver, addicted to crack cocaine; my oldest brother was on the streets of Denver, involved heavily in gangs; my second oldest sister was in foster care in Iowa, and my youngest sister was living with my aunt. Between my junior and senior year of high school, I lived in five different locations and spent the last four months of my senior year of high school homeless, sleeping on the floor of a family friend. I arrived in Minnesota with a trunk carrying everything I owned and no home address back in Denver.

Based on your childhood experience, what can an incarcerated parent do to help their children cope with their absence?
The simplest thing that an incarcerated parent can do to help their children, is to let them know that they are loved and that the incarceration of the parent is not the children’s fault. For many years, I walked around as a child holding on to the premonition that there was something that I could have done as a child to keep my family together (less fights with siblings, worked harder in school, less trouble in the community, etc.)

As someone who is strongly motivated in life, what suggestions do you have to help people set realistic expectations and then stay motivated?
The term “realistic expectations” is a bit of an oxymoron. The entire premise behind expectations is doing things that you and others thought could not have been done. Having said that, I think that it’s critical that a person has three things in place on this journey of staying motivated to accomplish great things. First, it is critical for people to start out knowing what they value and have an area of interest in. People will find that these values and interest will be connected to things that are at the core of who they are. These core values and interests will then drive a person to discover and hone their strengths. Secondly, it is important to identify people or a person doing what it is that you would like to be doing. Place a picture of the person before you each day, study the failures and successes of this person, and take words of advice from this person literally and put them into action. And lastly, believe in yourself. There is a quote that says, “The person who thinks that they can and the person who thinks that they cannot are both right.” The question we have to ask ourselves is, which one are we? Find an inspirational song to keep you going each day. Find daily quotes. Connect with people who have the same mind set.

What suggestions do you have for someone to be successful in life after they leave a corrections facility?
Know what you believe in. Have a dream of improving our world in an area that you are passionate about. Identify a person living your dream and pursue that dream, daily, with the tenacity to see it come to fruition in your life. Be patient and grateful on the journey.

It will also be critical to develop skills: reading comprehension, time management, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving and have strong people skills.

Attend Tommy’s Program in July

The Power of Education and Expectations In Overcoming Barriers
Thursday, July 14, 2011, 7 to 8 p.m.
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center , 55430

In this free program, participants will hear Tommy Watson’s story of overcoming obstacles and adjusting to constant change. Watson will also discuss the power of education and expectation in life’s journey. Participants also will learn and understand the three components of high expectations and how they apply in their lives. For more information, please call 612-543-8852.

Help for the Homeless: An Interview with Cathy ten Broeke

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Cathy ten Broeke, city/county coordinator of the Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness, about resources for people who are homeless.

How is the Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness addressing the issue of homelessness?

The Office to End Homelessness works with about 125 nonprofit agencies, businesses, and faith communities throughout Hennepin County to implement our 10-year-plan to end homelessness called Heading Home Hennepin. This plan focuses on best practices for preventing homelessness when possible and ending homelessness for people by connecting them to housing and appropriate services when necessary. This community has been very successful in implementing Heading Home Hennepin, ending homelessness for thousands of men, women, children, and youth. The dramatic downturn in the economy has made our work more challenging, but despite these challenges the plan is working.

What is Project Homeless Connect?

Project Homeless Connect is a one-stop-shop service event for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Two days each year, The Office to End Homelessness partners with the Minneapolis Convention Center and more than 400 service providers to offer everything from legal assistance and medical care to housing, employment assistance, and haircuts. Because these 400 service providers are all located in one place, people are able to get multiple things done in minutes or hours that would normally take months or years. Our next event is planned for May 23, 2011. To learn more about the event or be a volunteer for it, please visit: www.homelessconnectminneapolis.org or call 612-596-6645.

What suggestions do you have for people leaving corrections facilities who may be homeless after their release?

Anyone leaving a facility or prior to their release can call or write to Danita Banks, adult discharge policy/planning coordinator for the Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness, with any questions concerning potential homelessness. She can refer them to agencies/community partners that may have resources to assist them. Specific issues can be addressed when she has the opportunity to talk directly with the resident. For more information, please contact Ms. Banks at:

Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness
300 South Sixth Street, A2308 Minneapolis, MN 55486
612-348-9559

Resources for Recovery: An Interview with Nell Hurley

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Nell Hurley, executive director of the Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC), about resources for people in recovery from substance abuse.

What is the Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC)?

MRC is a recovery community organization. We are a grassroots, independent, nonprofit organization that strengthens the recovery community by increasing the quality and prevalence of long-term recovery for individuals, their families and whole communities. MRC strengthens, connects, and mobilizes the recovery community in Minnesota through peer-to-peer recovery support programs, special events, advocacy work to reduce stigma, and providing access to recovery and community resources.

How does the program help people with substance abuse disorders and their recovery from those disorders?

MRC connects people seeking recovery to resources that can help them initiate and/or maintain their recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs. One way MRC does this is through peer-to-peer recovery support programs, such as its Recovery Coaching program and its Telephone Recovery Support program. Led by volunteers with experience in recovery, both support programs connect those seeking recovery with established members of the recovery community, providing the latter group a way to “give back” by helping others in recovery.

The Telephone Recovery Support program is great for people who are either waiting for treatment, just getting out of treatment, being released from jail, have recently relapsed, or who would like some “extra” support in their recovery. These people sign a consent form that states that they are willing to receive a phone call from an MRC volunteer once-a-week for 12 weeks. The MRC volunteer who calls them has experience in recovery and has been trained to identify barriers to recovery, and to recommend and connect people to resources and organizations that can help remove these barriers.

The Recovery Coaching program is very much like the Telephone Recovery Support program. In addition to the weekly telephone call, “recoverees” are matched with Recovery Coaches who will work with them both in person and over-the-phone for a minimum of six months, or until “recoverees” have developed a solid support system for their recovery.

A Recovery Coach is a mentor with experience in recovery and knowledge regarding how to identify and access resources that can help remove barriers to recovery.

What suggestions do you have for someone in achieving and maintaining recovery from substance abuse?

One of the best ways to achieve and maintain recovery is to get connected to the recovery community. MRC offers events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities that can help people connect with others in recovery and to the recovery community as a whole.

Do you have a favorite book on the subject of recovery from substance abuse?

One of my favorite books on the topic of recovery is “Broken” by William Moyers. It’s a harrowing memoir of the author’s own descent into the abyss of addiction, but it’s just as much a story of recovery and redemption. The thing I love most about this book is the author’s realization that it is the recovery community and his connection to that community that will save him.

Minnesota Recovery Connection
253 State Street, St. Paul, MN. 55107
651-233-2080
www.minnesotarecovery.org

Resources for Veterans: An Interview with Milton Schoen

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket talked with Milton Schoen, director of Veterans’ Service, Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, about resources for veterans leaving corrections facilities.

How can staff from Hennepin County Veterans’ Service help residents at the Adult Corrections Facility (ACF)?

Hennepin County Veterans’ Service staff give monthly presentations on veterans benefits at ACF. Our staff provide information about veteran resources and services and will complete requests for military discharges for veterans at ACF so they can get the critical documents they need to obtain benefits.

Veterans’ Service staff also will explain state veterans dental benefits, VA health care including chemical dependency treatment and other medical services to ACF residents. Although the VA will not provide health care to incarcerated veterans and there are other benefit limitations, our staff encourage residents to contact our office so that these veterans can obtain benefits upon their release.

Our office has assisted many of the veterans that we met at ACF after they were released from custody, such as in obtaining state benefits and VA compensation and pension. We also have referred veterans to the “Front Porch” sessions at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center where they may be able to obtain a housing voucher. Participants of this program must agree to be case managed by the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

What is the Veterans’ Court and how could it benefit ACF residents?

The Hennepin County Veterans Court is a partnership of the Courts, County Attorney, Public Defender, Community Corrections, the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Hennepin County Veterans’ Service. The court was established in July 2010 to provide a coordinated response to the needs and risks of veterans involved in the criminal justice system. It has served 30 veterans at this point.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys must agree to accept cases referred to the Veterans Court. Veterans appearing before the Veterans Court are not contesting their guilt and accept responsibility for their actions.

Veterans accepted by the Veterans Court are evaluated and their issues are addressed. Many of these veterans are referred to the VA Health Care System for chemical dependency treatment, mental health treatment or other services. Veterans are provided a mentor to help them navigate the Veterans Court process. The court’s main focus is to deal with the issues that bring these veterans to court with a goal of reducing recidivism.

Any suggestions for residents who are veterans and will be released from a corrections facility?

I would suggest that veterans contact Hennepin County Veterans’ Service at 612-348-3300 upon their release from custody. Our staff would be happy to assist each veteran about their particular situation and help them in obtaining veterans benefits.

Hennepin County Veterans’ Service and the VA are committed to assisting incarcerated veterans and helping them return to productive lives.

More Information for Veterans

Hennepin County Veterans’ Service
Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, SE 1st Level Room, C-152, Minneapolis, MN 55487
Phone: 612-348-3300
www.co.hennepin.mn.us (Search for veterans’ services)

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Service Building, 20 West 12th Street, Room 206, St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 651-296-2562 or 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838)
www.minnesotaveteran.org and www.mdva.state.mn.us

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
360 Robert Street North, Suite 306, St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651-291-8756
www.mac-v.org

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Veterans Employment Services
Locations throughout MN
1-888-Get Jobs (1-888-438-5627)
www.mnwfc.org

Veterans’ Services in other Minnesota Counties

Anoka           763-323-5290
Dakota          651-554-5601
Ramsey       651-266-8489
Scott             952-496-8176
Stearns         320-656-6176
Washington   651-430-6895

Become a Mentor

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Make a difference in the life of a male or female resident through the Mentor Program at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility in Plymouth. Help ex-offenders successfully transition back into society, so they do not re-offend. Attend the free mentor training on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the corrections facility.

Mentors must be 21 years or older, have access to reliable transportation, have a valid Minnesota drivers license and proof of insurance. If an ex-offender, (s)he must be 1 year off paper. If chemically dependent, (s)he must be sober for at least 1 year. The mentor must be stable in his/her own life and must be able to provide personal and professional references. To learn more, please contact Jennifer Edel at 612-721-8687, ext 318 or by email at jedel@gmcc.org.

Explore New Careers

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Your future is wide open. Explore new career options based on the skills you’ve used in a past job. With mySkills myFuture you can compare careers, find training, and search for jobs.

http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org

Arrested: What to Do When Your Loved One's in Jail by Wes Denham

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CDT

When family members or loved ones are arrested, things get crazy fast. Inmates want bail bonds and private attorneys, food from the commissary, healthcare and prescription drugs. They want someone to prove, somehow, that witnesses were lying or that police reports were incorrect. Lawyers and bail bondsmen appear, as if by magic, with hands held out for money, and are followed by jail fees, arrest fees, jail phone charges, commissary fees, probation fees, class fees, drug test fees, and on and on. What to do? Arrested is the only guide to supporting family members facing criminal charges. It explains how to make decisions that are in the best interests of the entire family — not just the defendant — and provides checklists of what things to do, and in what order. Form letters called “jail mail” are included to help readers quickly send important information to inmates. Whether a defendant is charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct or first-degree murder, Arrested is an indispensable book.

L.I.F.E. Camp - July 19-22, 2010

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 CDT

L.I.F.E. Camp provides children (grades 2-6) of inmates currently or formerly detained in a Minnesota or North Dakota correctional facility the opportunity to create positive, life-long memories at no cost to their families. During the week-long camp, the kids have a chance to participate in activities like fishing, swimming, hiking and more. There is also a special focus on their specific emotional needs and life skills training.

L.I.F.E. Camp (Love Is For Everyone) is held at The Salvation Army's Northwoods Camp in Finlayson, MN.

Transportation will be provided from pickup points in the Twin Cities. Children from the Rochester area will be offered transportation to a Twin Cities pickup point.

Interested in having your child attend L.I.F.E. Camp? Please download, print and fill out this application in its entirety. Applications must be received by July 8, 2010.

Mail the forms to:
The Salvation Army
Attn: Carrie Kane
2445 Prior Ave N
Roseville, MN 55113

Mentoring Change

infotech@hclib.org — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket interviewed Hillary Freeman, codirector of the Community Justice Project, about the mentor program and how it can help residents at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility (ACF) in Plymouth before and after their release.

What is the mentor program?
The Community Justice Project partners with the Minneapolis Police Department to train volunteer mentors to work with men and women prior to their release from the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility and assist them on their journey back to the community.

In addition to providing emotional support during the immediate transition from incarceration to community, a mentor can help their mentee navigate through social service and government channels and offer practical advice on job-hunting, personal finance and housing issues.

How does the mentor program benefit ACF residents?
Change is difficult for all people; however, we have found that in the five years that we have been doing this program, those inmates who stay connected to their mentors after release do not come back to the facility.

In 2008, 135 felons were matched with a mentor at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility and only 13 percent were re-incarcerated during the first year after release. That is far better than the average 52 percent of Minnesota ex-offenders who end up back in prison the first year after release. Even more important, mentors improve public safety. Tracking shows that ex-offenders who stay connected to their mentor commit fewer crimes overall after release.

How can a resident join the mentor program?
Each week we interview eight ACF residents and try to match them with mentors at least six weeks prior to their release. The mentor commits to working with the resident for four hours per month for a year.

ACF residents who would like to learn more about the Community Justice Project can contact the chaplain or their probation officer and indicate that they want to be part of the mentor program. Community members who would like to become a mentor can find more information online at:

http://communityjusticeproject.gmcc.org/volunteer.php

Financial Aid for College

infotech@hclib.org — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket interviewed Cheryl Maplethorpe, director of the Financial Aid Division for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, about applying for financial aid and concerns that ex-offenders may have during the application process.

How does someone apply for financial aid?

Federal, state, institutional and private funders use the online federal Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) as the application for need-based financial aid. You start the process by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov or www.fafsa.gov. Do not go to www.fafsa.com. They will charge you money to complete the free form.

Apply for a personal identification number (PIN) so you can “sign” the application. You will put down your name as it appears on your social security card (For example, if your card says your name is Patrick but you have always used the name Pat, put Patrick down for your name), your address and your birth date. The website will give you a PIN to use to “sign” your completed application when you are done.

The 2009-2010 FAFSA application will ask you about money you made in the 2008 tax year. Beginning January 2010 the new FAFSA 2010-2011 will be available and ask about money you made in tax year 2009. If your income has changed because you were laid off or your income was interrupted for some other reason, you should tell the financial aid office of the college you will be attending. The financial aid administrator can use professional judgment to alter the income that will be used in the calculation.

What types of financial aid are available for ex-offenders?

State and federal financial aid is not influenced by whether or not a person is an ex-offender. The financial aid is calculated based on your income and assets. The only “crime” question deals with being convicted of possession or selling drugs while you were receiving federal financial aid in college.

Other things that will affect the eligibility:

• If the applicant is in default on an educational loan, they can’t get additional financial aid until the loan is brought out of default. The applicant should contact the lender for instructions.

• For the Minnesota State Grant Program the student can’t get an award if they are behind on child support payments. The student must contact the county to make arrangements to correct that problem.

Does a felony or a drug conviction prevent someone from applying for financial aid?

The financial aid process does not care about felony or crime convictions other than a question about being convicted of possession of selling drugs while receiving federal financial aid. The wording of the “drug” question changes every year. On the 2009-2010 FAFSA it is asked in two parts. The first question asks if you have ever been in college. If you answer “No”, you will not see the question about being convicted of selling or possessing drugs while receiving financial aid in college.

Even if you must answer “Yes” to being convicted, there may still be other ways you may be eligible for federal financial aid. Be sure to talk to the financial aid administrator at the campus you plan to attend.

The college admission application may ask questions about past convictions which may affect whether or not the college will let you enroll. The college is most concerned about the safety of the other students and not so much concerned about what you did. So if it was something you did a long time ago or if it was a property crime and not a personal violence crime, the offense may not prevent you from being enrolled in the college

Any suggestions for someone who is applying for financial aid for the first time?

When you start your FAFSA application the computer will ask you to create a password. Be sure to write down the password and your personal identification number (PIN) because you will use them each time you apply for financial aid.

Complete your FAFSA by the college deadline to receive institutional awards. If your taxes are not complete, you can submit your FAFSA with estimated tax data. Once your taxes are complete you can make corrections if necessary. It is better to meet the college deadline than to be perfectly correct with all your data.

If you need advice, call the financial aid office of the college you plan to attend. They can help you figure out what you should put down.

Where can I find more information about applying for financial aid?

You can find a lot of information at our web site www.getreadyforcollege.org. Click on the far-left orange picture titled “PAYING FOR COLLEGE.” This booklet can be ordered for free from our agency website or your counselor may already have a copy to give you. You can also call the financial aid office of the college you plan to attend. Try to apply early so you can get your questions answered ahead of time. As you can imagine, the busiest time for the financial aid office is just before the fall term begins so their phone lines may be very busy at that time. Good luck in your educational endeavors!

For more information about financial aid, visit these websites:

www.getreadyforcollege.org

www.fafsa.ed.gov

www.fafsa.gov

www.studentaid.ed.gov

Beyond Bars: Rejoining Society After Prison

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CDT

In the United States, more than two million men and women are behind bars. Another five million live under the control of the criminal justice system. Few are prepared for the tough transition to their new life beyond bars.

Jeffrey Ian Ross and Stephen C. Richards' book Beyond Bars: Rejoining Society After Prison provides the information and guidance that can make a real difference in a successful transition. It reveals the difficulties - and opportunities - awaiting parolees once they are outside prison walls. These include:

Preparing for release while still in prison
Surviving the parole system
Dealing with family members - especially spouces and children
Halfway houses and work release centers
Finding a job or going back to school
Organizations that help ex-convicts

Jeffrey Ian Ross was also interviewed on National Public Radio about his book. Listen to the interview.

Get Smart about Getting a Job: Books for Ex-Offenders

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Looking for a job? These books offer tips on job searching and interviewing, specifically for ex-offenders. Click on a title to see where the book is located.

Best jobs for ex-offenders by Ron Krannich

Best resumes and letters for ex-offenders by Wendy S. Enelow and Ronald L. Krannich

The ex-offender's quick job hunting guide by Ron and Caryl Krannich

The ex-offender's job search companion: getting a good job despite your record by Kathleen Lordan

How to do good after prison: a manual for the "committed man" by Michael B. Jackson

Job interview tips for people with not-so-hot backgrounds: how to put red flags behind you to win the job by Caryl Rae Krannich and Ronald L. Krannich

Mental Illness Resources: An Interview with NAMIs Anna Meyer

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket interviewed the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota’s Criminal Justice Project Director Anna Meyer to learn more about mental illness and local resources that offer support.

What is NAMI?

NAMI Minnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with mental illness and their families. We offer free classes and support groups throughout the state. We also advocate for policy changes to create more community mental health programs and services, improve access to services, increase opportunities for recovery, reduce stigma and discrimination, and increase public understanding of mental illness.

In your work, how have you seen mental illnesses impact the lives of residents in corrections facilities?

Mental illness affects everyone in some way. One in four adults will have a mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental illnesses are even more common in corrections facilities. Both in and out of facilities, anxiety and depression are the most common mental illnesses among adults.

Many people who have mental illnesses also use alcohol or illegal drugs. In corrections facilities, three out of four people who have a mental illness also use alcohol or drugs. For many people, this combination easily leads to a cycle of repeated problems with the law.

Most corrections facilities simply don’t have the resources to provide adequate mental health treatment. Mental illnesses are treatable biological brain disorders. However, it takes time to diagnose them correctly and find the right treatment for each person. Usually what works best is a combination of therapy, medication and self-care (exercise, eating well, etc.). For someone with both a mental illness and chemical use, it is important to treat both at the same time.

Another common issue is the difficulty of re-entering the community. While incarcerated, many people lose their jobs, housing, benefits and so on. Again, most facilities do not have the resources to help people get connected to necessary services before their release.

Finally, many people in corrections facilities have asked me about family members, especially children, who have challenging behavior or a mental illness. A lot of parents want more information about how to get a good diagnosis for their child and how to help their child succeed in school and at home.

What about the impact on their families on the outside?

When crime is discussed in the media, the impact on families isn’t usually talked about. However, NAMI gets calls from concerned family members of incarcerated people almost every day.

Whether you are a family member or incarcerated yourself, arming yourself with information is important. Two of NAMI Minnesota’s booklets can help:

The first is Advocating for People with Mental Illnesses in the Criminal Justice System, which provides information about advocating for someone with a mental illness at each step in the criminal justice system, from arrest to re-entry.

The second is Hope for Recovery, which provides information about mental health resources in Minnesota, from health benefits to housing.

NAMI also has many other fact sheets and booklets. These are available online at no cost or by calling our office at 651.645.2948 or 1.888.NAMI.HELPS.

How can NAMI Minnesota help residents, or their families, who are affected by mental illness?

NAMI provides free support groups and classes for people living with mental illnesses and for family members. You and your family are welcome to attend, as well as to join NAMI.

Also, NAMI is always advocating for policy changes, such as increased funding for mental health courts, mental health services in jails and prisons, and public defenders. Last year we helped pass a bill that clarifies that 911 operators can send a mobile mental health crisis team instead of or along with the police if someone is having a mental health crisis. We also helped pass a bill to limit the use seclusion and restraint in schools and train teachers on how to use seclusion and restraint properly. This is important to NAMI because seclusion and restraint are used more with kids who have mental illnesses than with other kids.

We are also very involved in efforts to reduce the barriers to re-entry after incarceration. We’re an active member of the Second Chance Coalition, a group of organizations that believe punishment should end when someone’s sentence ends. You and your family are welcome to join. Email me at ameyer@nami.org to join the group or find out how you can get involved.

For more information, please call the NAMI Minnesota office 651-645-2948 or 1-888-NAMI-HELPS or visit online at www.namihelps.org

The Job-Hunter's Survival Guide by Richard N. Bolles

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Check out this essentials-only guide to finding a job--even your dream job--in a challenging economic climate, from Richard N. Bolles the author of classic career guide What Color Is Your Parachute?

Mr. Bolles also has a companion website for his books that offers articles and additional resources. Visit it at:

www.jobhuntersbible.com/

Reading & Recidivism: An Interview with Author Walter Mosley

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Recently, Freedom Ticket had the opportunity to interview Walter Mosley. Mosley is the author of more than 29 critically acclaimed books, including the major bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins. Another of his series is a powerful trilogy about an ex-offender, Socrates Fortlow, and his adjustment to life in Los Angeles after being released from prison.

As you developed the character of Socrates Fortlow, what did you learn about the reentry challenges facing people who were formerly incarcerated?

You have a long period of punishment and then a long period of suspicion. It’s not impossible to build a life. As a matter of fact, it’s very possible to build a life, but most of the details of every day are against building it.

How can reading and libraries help people make positive changes in their lives?

One of the things that can cut down recidivism is learning how to read and learning how to read better. Books are important things to people in prison. Whenever you encounter a book, there’s an opportunity.

If Socrates Fortlow were a real person and looking for a good book to read, what would you recommend?

Wow! I’d probably say “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo. Because it’s really dealing with the issue of being criminalized by a society that doesn’t care at all about you and at the same time that it’s up to you to make a life for yourself.

Resume Tips for Ex-offenders from ISEEK

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Ex-offenders benefit from having resumes that show how they have been rehabilitated as well as their skills and qualifications.

Many job seekers struggle to create an effective resume. A resume is a document that you create to accurately market your qualifications for your chosen career.

All resumes should:

Be truthful. State your skills and abilities accurately.

Target your audience. Highlight skills and activities relevant to a specific career.

Be brief. Limit your resume to one or two pages, and use fewer words for scannability.

Be professional. Print your resume on high-grade paper using a quality printer.

Be accurate. Proofread your resume (and have a friend do the same) for any errors.

Include all related experiences. Include personal information if it is unique and related to the job. Example: If the job description indicates speaking Spanish is preferred and you speak Spanish, include that information.

Ex-offenders benefit from having resumes that show how they have been rehabilitated as well as their skills and qualifications.

Positive activities to add to a resume include:

Previous employment. List length of time employed, accomplishments on the job, positive performance reviews, promotions and other attributes.

Education. List enrollment and completion of any job training or work-skill programs. Also list courses passed and graduation from post secondary programs.

Community, religious or social activities that show responsibility, longevity or work skills.

Military achievements.

Source: ISEEK

For more employment resources specifically for ex-offenders from ISEEK, please visit:

http://www.iseek.org/guide/exoffenders/index.html

Libraries and Reentry: An Interview with Congressman Keith Ellison

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Why are you interested in reentry issues?

As a former criminal defense attorney, I am very interested in reentry issues. During that time, I saw first-hand the value of reentry programs and the contributions that ex-offenders can make to their communities. I believe reentry programs help to ensure that the transition from prison back to society is safe and successful. Good reentry programs make certain equal opportunity to employment and education services are offered. Good programs, in turn, build stronger, healthier communities. I continue to be a strong advocate for reentry programs that give people a chance to return to their communities and make positive contributions.

How do you think libraries can help ex-offenders?

Libraries play a vital role in the reentry process, by providing ex-offenders with a window on the world of information to begin the process of reentry into their communities. Traditionally, libraries have served as a natural transition point for ex-offenders, often having had access to library materials while serving their time. Moreover, libraries are public venues that can aid in the development of social skills needed to once again reintegrate into society. Libraries provide free access to a wealth of resources including books, films, community programs, computer and Internet access. Additionally, some libraries offer training and literacy programs, job opportunity searches, schooling and rehabilitation information and legal services. In doing so, libraries are often the vital link to equipping ex-offenders with the tools necessary to make a successful reintegration into society.

Are you currently involved in any legislation or programs to help ex-offenders?

In the last Congress, I co-sponsored, The Second Chance Act of 2007 (HR 1593), which passed the House and Senate and was signed into law (P.L. 110-199) on April 9, 2008. Specifically, the legislation requires that recipients who are eligible for this program’s federal funding must develop comprehensive strategic reentry plans containing measurable annual and five-year performance outcomes. It further requires establishing a reentry task force to promote lower recidivism. It also calls for strategic reentry plans for ex-offenders. The legislation’s intent is to ensure a safe and sustainable transition of ex-offenders from prison or jail back to our communities. I was also a co-sponsor of the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act (Youth PROMISE Act). This bill calls for more opportunities for youth gang members to reenter their communities by demonstrating a commitment to change from their past actions. Not only does this bill serve the community, it also helps to demonstrate that young people can learn from their mistakes and not be burdened by them in the future. I am currently considering championing the House version of a bill authored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA). This legislation calls for a complete overhaul of our current prison system including the establishment of a National Criminal Justice Commission. Our country has a clear problem. With just 5% of the world’s population, America holds nearly 25% of the world’s reported prison population. Our prison population has quadrupled since 1984, and most of the increase comes from people being imprisoned for drug offenses – mostly minor and nonviolent. You can be sure that I will continue to remain watchful of any opportunities that have as their result productive reentry programs.

Keith Ellison has represented the Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives since taking office on January 4, 2007. The Fifth District includes the City of Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs.

For more information or to contact Congressman Ellison:

http://ellison.house.gov/

612.522.1212 (Minneapolis)
202.225.4755 (Washington, D.C.)

Build Job Skills and Help the Community

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Looking for a great way to develop or share your skills and help people in your community too?

April is National Volunteer Month, so celebrate it by exploring the many volunteer opportunities listed at VolunteerMatch.

VolunteerMatch strengthens our communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect.

Learn more at:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Check Out CareerOneStop

infotech@hclib.org — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT

CareerOneStop is…

Your source for employment information and inspiration
The place to manage your career
Your pathway to career success
Tools to help job seekers, students, businesses and career professionals
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor

Explore it online at:

http://www.careeronestop.org/

Prepare for Civil or School Entrance Exams

infotech@hclib.org — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Whatever your career or school goal, check out LearningExpress Library's resources accessed from the library's Jobs and Career Subject Guide will help you succeed. Each of the Learning Centers offers the practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses, and information you need to achieve the results you want—at school, at work, or in life. Looking to land a job? You'll find an entire Learning Center dedicated to helping you get the one that's right for you.

Also, next time you are at the library be sure to ask library staff about our many books that will help you prepare for civil service and school extrance exams.

The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates

infotech@hclib.org — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Paul Coates was an enigmatic god to his sons: a Vietnam vet who rolled with the Black Panthers, an old-school disciplinarian and new-age believer in free love, an autodidact who launched a publishing company in his basement dedicated to telling the true history of African civilization. Most of all, he was a wily tactician whose mission was to carry his sons across the shoals of inner-city adolescence—and through the collapsing civilization of Baltimore in the Age of Crack—and into the safe arms of Howard University, where he worked so his children could attend for free.

Among his brood of seven, his main challenges were Ta-Nehisi, spacey and sensitive and almost comically miscalibrated for his environment, and Big Bill, charismatic and all-too-ready for the challenges of the streets. The Beautiful Struggle follows their divergent paths through this turbulent period, and their father’s steadfast efforts—assisted by mothers, teachers, and a body of myths, histories, and rituals conjured from the past to meet the needs of a troubled present—to keep them whole in a world that seemed bent on their destruction.

With a remarkable ability to reimagine both the lost world of his father’s generation and the terrors and wonders of his own youth, Coates offers readers a small and beautiful epic about boys trying to become men in black America and beyond.

You can also listen to great interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates on NPR's Fresh Air.

Social Security Card Information

infotech@hclib.org — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT

You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important.

To replace a lost Social Security card:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
Show us documents proving your identity.
Show us documents proving your U.S. citizenship if our records do not already contain that information.
Show us documents proving your current, lawful, work-authorized status if you are not a U.S. citizen.

In most cases, you can mail or take your application and original documents to your local Social Security office. If you live in the New York City metropolitan area, Las Vegas NV, Orlando FL, or Phoenix AZ you may need to apply in person at your local Social Security Card Center.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

For more information about getting a replacement card and the documents you will need to show us, see Documents You Need for a Social Security Card.

You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in noncitizen status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you.

Even though you apply for a replacement card, Social Security takes no action on the loss of the original card. Reporting a lost or stolen card to us will not prevent its misuse.

A person using your card or number can get other personal information about you and apply for credit in your name. So, if you suspect someone is using your number, you should take these steps to protect yourself and your financial health:

Educate yourself about identity theft;
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission;
Check your Social Security record (call toll-free 1-800-772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ensure your income is calculated correctly; and
Monitor your credit reports.

Review Your Credit

infotech@hclib.org — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Is “retail therapy” your favorite pastime—even though you really can’t afford it? Do you ignore the balance on your credit card statements, vowing to pay them off at some point down the line? Is your debt preventing you from living your dreams—like buying a home or starting a family? If so, girl, it’s time to get your credit straight!

These days, with easy access to multiple credit cards and glossy advertisements that entice us to spend at every turn, it’s all too easy to start racking up debt—and even little slip-ups can lead to real damage over time. In this highly practical follow-up to her bestsellers Girl, Get Your Money Straight! and Girl, Make Your Money Grow!, financial expert Glinda Bridgforth delivers a power-packed plan for paying down debt, repairing your credit score, and securing your financial freedom—along with a future that makes your heart sing.Beginning with simple, engaging exercises to help you assess your spending habits and get clear about what you owe, Girl, Get Your Credit Straight! presents a detailed road map for eliminating debt, one step at a time. You will learn how to:

• Devise a system for tracking expenditures, anticipating end-of-month shortfalls, and paying bills on time, every time

• Find ways to supplement your income

• Consolidate loans to pay off debt faster, decrease stress, and save time and money

• Negotiate with your creditors to come up with a payment plan that works for you

• Discover the best loans to use for refinancing debt or making major new purchases

• Understand how credit bureaus work--and take steps to improve your score

Filled with Bridgforth’s warmhearted wisdom and advice, and complete with worksheets, affirmations, and inspiring stories of African American women who’ve restored their credit and built new wealth, Girl, Get Your Credit Straight! is a fresh, empowering guide for any woman who wants to say goodbye to debt—for good.

Change We Can Believe In

infotech@hclib.org — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CDT

President Barack Obama offers bold and specific ideas about how to fix our ailing economy and strengthen the middle class, make health care affordable for all, achieve energy independence, and keep America safe in a dangerous world.

For daily updates on President Barack Obama, visit the White House blog at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/

200 Best Jobs through Apprenticeships

infotech@hclib.org — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Learn about a route to career entry that gives you a paycheck while you participate in worksite training and classroom learning—tuition free. Apprenticeship is a system of job training that turns trainees into highly skilled workers with a nationally recognized credential that may bring income and job security as good as or better than what college graduates enjoy. Apprenticeships are often called the “other four-year degree” because they help workers earn as much as or even more than college graduates.

This book opens your eyes to the many career possibilities through apprenticeships and includes more than 60 “best jobs” lists and detailed descriptions of the 200 best apprenticeable jobs. The best apprenticeable jobs lists are organized by pay, growth through 2016, openings, 16 career clusters/interest areas, Holland personality types, high-growth industries, number of apprenticeship years required, union membership, percentage of women and men in the jobs, and popularity. In addition to the best jobs lists and thorough job descriptions, this book provides the latest in-depth information on apprenticeships. It lists all 981 apprenticeships that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and explains how to become an apprentice, where the opportunities are, what the requirements are, what the pros and cons are, and much more.

The book covers new developments in apprenticeships, lists 100 new nationally registered apprenticeships, and features the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Nearly 30 new lists rank best apprenticeable jobs by union membership and by high-growth industries, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy, geospatial technology, health care, homeland security, and nanotechnology. Each occupation now includes information on the percentage of workers with union membership, average union wage, and beginning wage.

Over 450,000 people—including minorities, women, youth, people with disabilities, and workers who have been laid off from their jobs—participate in apprenticeship programs. “The government’s return on investment in registered apprenticeship clearly outperforms other types of government-sponsored job training programs,” according to information from the U.S. Department of Labor.

150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs

infotech@hclib.org — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CDT

In a rocky economy, everyone wants a rock-solid career. And you don’t need to trade salary for security. This new book uncovers the 150 most secure, good-paying jobs in good and bad times.

A total of 75 lists rank the best recession-proof jobs by pay, growth, and openings, plus by education level, personality type, career clusters/interests, age, part-time work, and self-employment. Bonus lists reveal the most recession-proof metropolitan areas and states, the most recession-proof skills, and the jobs very sensitive to recession.

The detailed job descriptions give helpful facts on pay, growth, openings, tasks, skills needed, education and training required, work environment, job security, highest- and lowest-growth industries for the job, and fastest-growing metropolitan areas for the job.

A special part explains how to recession-proof your career, how the information can help in both good and bad economic times, and the short-term and long-term outlook. Readers gain career tips for shaky times, including how to be the irreplaceable worker.

Second Chance Day on the Hill

infotech@hclib.org — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Join hundreds, and advocate for change. Hear the stories of those who have struggled to move beyond their past, become contributing members of our community and redeem themselves.

Feb. 11, 2009
10 a.m.
Capitol Rotunda, St. Paul, MN.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SC_home

Workforce Centers: Your One-Stop Employment Shop

infotech@hclib.org — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CDT

Looking for free job skills counseling and training? James Houston, a Rehabilitation Services Placement Coordinator at the South Minneapolis Workforce Center, offers the following information about this important community employment resource.

What are the Workforce Centers? How can they help former ACF residents looking for work?

Minnesota Workforce Centers (WFC) are one-stop employment shops located across the state. Individuals, who use WFC’s can use our computer labs to search for jobs, write résumés and respond to job inquiries. Many WFC’s also offer job search education and training and opportunities to meet with local employers. WFCs also house other non-profit organizations of assistance to job seekers.

How does a placement coordinator help ACF residents looking for work?

ACF residents who are eligible for the Rehabilitation Services program will be able to work with a placement coordinator. Placement coordinators provide many basic services such as creating résumés, filling out applications and finding job leads. They also do interview and job etiquette training to prepare ACF residents for the interview process. A placement coordinator can also do job coaching so that once you get a job, you will be able to maintain it.

Any suggestions that you can share for ex-offenders/ACF residents who are looking for work in the current economy?

The best advice I can give during these times are to be realistic, patient, and persistent. There are jobs out there, but the search will be tough. However, if your goal is to get a job, you have to keep pushing. Also, it is easier to get a job if you have one, so I would advise against holding out for the perfect position. Being flexible in the types of jobs you will consider allows for more opportunities.

For more information, call 888.438.5627 or visit the Minnesota Workforce Center website at www.mnwfc.org.

Bridge to Benefits

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Bridge to Benefits is a multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota to improve the well-being of low-income families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. A core component of the project is an online screening tool designed to help families and individuals understand if they are eligible for seven public work support programs and two income tax credits.

Learn more at:

http://www.bridgetobenefits.org/

Job Interviews Tips for People with Not-So-Hot Backgrounds

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 CDT

You must do well in the job interview to get a job offer. But what should you say and do if you have red flags in your background -- you're a job hopper, lack focus, been incarcerated, experienced drug or alcohol problems, got fired, dropped out of school, received poor grades, lack experience, or appear over-qualified? Can you convince the prospective employer that you should be hired despite your red flags? Since employers want to make smart hiring decisions, they look for reasons not to hire you. Above all, they want to know the truth about you. So how do you plan to tell the truth about your background and when? Here's the book that finally sheds light on this critical issue for millions of individuals who have difficult but promising backgrounds. Stressing the importance of preparation, the authors show how to best handle each of these potential red flags by offering useful strategies along with sample red flag questions and answers. Covering both the verbal and nonverbal dimensions of the job interview. Whatever you do, make sure you speak the language of employers who are looking for truthfulness, character, and value in candidates. With the help of this unique book, you can quickly learn to turn your red flags into green lights for renewed job and career success!

Explore Careers on ISEEK

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 CDT

ISEEK, the Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge, is a web-based gateway to Minnesota career, employment, education, and business development information and services.

The Internet system helps you make smart choices about careers, employment, education, and business growth. ISEEK provides information in four main areas:

explore careers

plan your education

find a job

grow your business

Learn more about it at www.iseek.org

The Ex-Offender's Job Hunting Guide

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 CDT

The Ex-Offender's Job Hunting Guide: 10 Steps to a New Life in the Work World by Ron and Caryl Krannich is written for newly released prisoners, this guide challenges former criminals to examine their personal attitudes and develop the job search skills needed to find the right job for long-term success. The authors offer advice on identifying strengths and weaknesses, finding community resources, writing applications and resumes, interviewing with an employer, and negotiating a salary.

Legal Advice Clinics

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Free of charge, volunteer lawyers are available to give brief legal advice at several locations throughout the Hennepin County Court, including the Self-Help Centers, Conciliation Court, Housing Court, and the Courthouse at Brookdale.

You generally must be a resident of Hennepin County or have a court case in Hennepin County to use these legal advice clinics.

Clinic Hours and Locations

Government Assistance Programs

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 CDT

GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of Federal agencies with a shared vision - to provide improved, personalized access to government assistance programs.

From career development to veteran assitance, GovBenefit.gov offers information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.

You may also call 1-800-FED-INFO (or 1-800-333-4636). Calls are answered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time.

MinnesotaHelp.info

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 CDT

MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota identify resources such as human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of aid and assistance within Minnesota. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people.

Visit the website at: http://www.minnesotahelp.info/public/

World of Work Orientation for Ex-Offenders

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 CDT

This drop-in service is for men and women who have a criminal background and need assistance with applications, resumes, interview skills and support on how to overcome the barriers of having a criminal record and landing that "dream job". The program is offered twice a month at Hennepin County Library North Regional Library on Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Please call the North Regional Library at (612) 630-6600 for more information.

Minneapolis 311

infotech@hclib.org — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 CDT

Need to report a broken street light? Is there a stray dog roaming your neighborhood? Do you just want a question about the City of Minneapolis answered? Minneapolis 311 can help.

Just call 311 weekdays from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM and a 311 agent will assist you. If you are outside the Minneapolis city limits or are unable to dial 311, you can reach 311 by dialing (612)673-3000. For TTY/TDD customers please dial (612) 673-2157.

You can also contact 311 by e-mail at Minneapolis311@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

The Ex-Offender's Quick Job Hunting Guide

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CDT

What should ex-offenders do in order to land a good job? Where should they go to find a rewarding job. The Ex-offender's Quick Job Hunting Guide is jam-packed with practical insights, self-tests, and exercises for putting the 10 steps to job search success into practice.

This great book includes special chapters on taking responsibility, telling the truth about your background, and developing an action plan for making it on the outside.

Request it from the library today!

Guaranteed Success: When You Never Give Up

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Check out this new nonfiction title by Percy Miller, aka Master P, from Urban Books. Miller addresses the issues of self and self-esteem, and offers a method for overcoming fear and other obstacles and taking the right steps to achieve success.

Percy Miller was born and raised in poverty and is now a successful millionaire. Discover the secrets of his success as he shares the wealth wisdom that he has gained through experience.

AMICUS

infotech@hclib.org — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 CDT

AMICUS is a Minnesota not-for-profit organization with over 40 years of experience in improving public safety by helping inmates and ex-offenders through positive relationship-building, restorative justice practices and individualized transition services. Their mission is to partner with inmates, ex-offenders, juvenile offenders and communities to build successful lives and stronger communities.

RECONNECT, a program of AMICUS, is an information and referral service especially for ex-offenders.

For more information, please call AMICUS at (612) 348-8570.

MLC Adult Literacy Hotline

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CDT

The Minnesota Literacy Council’s Adult Literacy Hotline tells you where you can learn English (ESL) or get help to read and write better. The Hotline has information on more than 425 programs around Minnesota that offer:

Basic math and reading classes
English language programs
Brush-up skills
GED preparation and testing sites
Adult high school diploma services
Area learning centers
Family literacy programs
Citizenship classes

They can help adult learners find the most convenient programs and services in the Twin Cities or across the state. Phones are staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information, please call the literacy hotline at (800) 222-1990 or visit the MLC online at www.themlc.org.

Freedom Ticket Website

infotech@hclib.org — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CDT

For the last two months Hennepin County Library has published the Freedom Ticket newsletter to promote awareness and use of library resources and programs that are available while residents are at the Adult Corrections Facility and after their release.

Each monthly newsletter offers information about a different library in Hennepin County, upcoming library-related programs at the Adult Corrections Facility, book and resource reviews, and community organizations.

In mid-November, a new webpage on the Hennepin County Library website will be available for former residents to access after their release. Like the newsletter, the webpage offers information and links to library-related resources, programs, and reentry tools. The webpage features:

A frequently updated blog that highlights new books and other resources, library programs, and community organizations and events of interest to the former residents.

Library card, hours, and location information.

Links to reliable reentry information on disabilities, education, employment, health, housing, legal, personal finance, small business, transportation, and treatment.

An online version of the Creative Minds: Our Right to Write poetry book.

An email link so that former residents can contact the Corrections Librarian if they have library-related questions.

Hennepin County Library: Freedomticket

Build a Bridge to Your Children With Books

Fair Shake Reentry Resource Center

Remembering Bo Lozoff

Taming the Tiger Within by Thich Nhat Hanh

Talking About Trauma

Re-Entry2Work Training in February 2013

Making Your Time Count: An Interview with author David Mirambeaux

Restorative Parenting: Parenting in the Aftermath of Family Violence

Job Training Opportunity

Re-Entry2Work Training in June

Successful Transitions

Amicus' Inside Change Blog

The Night Dad Went to Jail by Melissa Higgins

Sign Up for the PPL Re-Entry2Work Program

Online Resume Generator

Willow in a Storm by James Peter Taylor & Kathleen Murphy-Taylor

The Ex-offender's Job Interview Guide by Caryl and Ron Krannich

Dewey Bozella: Courage and Conviction Lead Aspiring Boxer to Freedom

Employment & Empowerment: An Interview with Twin Cities RISE!

Sign Up for PPL's Re-Entry2Work (R2W) Program

Families & Incarceration: An Interview with Tommy Watson

Help for the Homeless: An Interview with Cathy ten Broeke

Resources for Recovery: An Interview with Nell Hurley

Resources for Veterans: An Interview with Milton Schoen

Become a Mentor

Explore New Careers

Arrested: What to Do When Your Loved One's in Jail by Wes Denham

L.I.F.E. Camp - July 19-22, 2010

Mentoring Change

Financial Aid for College

Beyond Bars: Rejoining Society After Prison

Get Smart about Getting a Job: Books for Ex-Offenders

Mental Illness Resources: An Interview with NAMIs Anna Meyer

The Job-Hunter's Survival Guide by Richard N. Bolles

Reading & Recidivism: An Interview with Author Walter Mosley

Resume Tips for Ex-offenders from ISEEK

Libraries and Reentry: An Interview with Congressman Keith Ellison

Build Job Skills and Help the Community

Check Out CareerOneStop

Prepare for Civil or School Entrance Exams

The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Social Security Card Information

Review Your Credit

Change We Can Believe In

200 Best Jobs through Apprenticeships

150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs

Second Chance Day on the Hill

Workforce Centers: Your One-Stop Employment Shop

Bridge to Benefits

Job Interviews Tips for People with Not-So-Hot Backgrounds

Explore Careers on ISEEK

The Ex-Offender's Job Hunting Guide

Legal Advice Clinics

Government Assistance Programs

MinnesotaHelp.info

World of Work Orientation for Ex-Offenders

Minneapolis 311

The Ex-Offender's Quick Job Hunting Guide

Guaranteed Success: When You Never Give Up

AMICUS

MLC Adult Literacy Hotline

Freedom Ticket Website

Mental Illness Resources: An Interview with NAMIs Anna Meyer