When people are released from prison, they often struggle to find jobs.
Davis: “In a country where we claim justice is for all, people serve their time, but they’re still battered and bruised because opportunities are slim to none for them.”
Scott Alan Davis is with SEEL, a company that provides energy efficiency services.
It’s partnered with the utility Ameren Illinois to offer training in this industry to people at the Peoria Adult Transition Center in Illinois, which houses people who are still incarcerated but participating in a work-release program.
Davis: “And then when they come out of the transition housing, they have employment that is now paying them enough where they can afford housing and other things to take care of themselves.”
In three years, about 25 participants have been hired in energy efficiency jobs upon their release.
The program also provides mental health, financial literacy, and other counseling.
Davis says the opportunity can change people’s lives.
Davis: “And it’s not just their life, it’s a generational change for everybody that’s going to come behind them that have different opportunities now …. So it’s very exciting.”
Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media
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