FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Safer Foundation, DOL Secretary Hold Job Training Roundtable
Visit part of Thomas Perez’s State of the Union Tour
CHICAGO – Safer Foundation (Safer) welcomes U .S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez as part of his “State of the Union: Cabinet in Your Community Tour” highlighting Department of Labor (DOL) programs making an impact in communities. Secretary Perez and Safer will hold a roundtable discussion in Chicago Thursday on the importance of collaboration and strategic partnerships in effective job training programs.
Safer currently operates workforce training programs funded by the DOL’s Training to Work 1, Training to Work 2 (T2W) and Face Forward grants. These grants are designed to equip adults in Safer’s Adult Transition Centers (T2W) and court-involved youth 17-24 with the skills and education needed to fill positions in high-demand industries.
“Safer Foundation is honored to host Secretary Perez here in Chicago. We have a unique opportunity to ensure people with records receive the skills and credentials to qualify for the thousands of available and emerging 21st century jobs in our area,” said Safer President and CEO Victor Dickson. “The Department of Labor has been instrumental in providing the resources needed to help our clients break the cycles of incarceration and poverty.”
In implementing the programs, Safer built on its existing practices, including focusing training that leads to industry-recognized credentials; providing on-the-job training (OJT) and work-based learning opportunities; and strengthening industry and employer connections to ensure that the training programs directly aligns with the skills and credentials needed to secure employment. Safer has had success with these programs because of the strategic partnerships and collaboration with industry experts; training organizations and employers.
The Roundtable will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Freedman Seating, 4545 W. Augusta Blvd. Freedman Seating, a Safer employer-partner that has been hiring Safer clients for the past decade, manufactures seats and seating related products.
In addition to Secretary Perez and Safer’s President and CEO Victor Dickson, the roundtable participants include Craig Freedman, Freedman Seating President; Gladyse Taylor, Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections; Beth Johnson, Director of Legal Programs at Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA); and Elizabeth McCabe, Associate Director of Training & Education at Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA). Paula Wolff, Director of the Illinois Justice Project, will moderate.
“Safer Foundation allows us to fill various workforce needs, while providing an opportunity to those in need of a second chance,” said Freedman Seating President Craig Freedman. “We look forward to sharing our goals and recommendations with Secretary Perez and other roundtable participants.”
Secretary Perez has been visiting cities across the country to talk with America’s workers, business owners, and state and local leaders about expanding opportunities through access to skills and training to help build a shared prosperity for a stronger America.
About Safer Foundation:
Since 1972, Safer Foundation’s mission has focused on supporting, through a full spectrum of services, the efforts of people with criminal records to become employed, law-abiding members of the community and as a result, reduce recidivism. For more information, visit www.saferfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Claudia Banks, Director, Marketing and Communications, Safer Foundation
Office: 312-913-6373 | Cell: 312-608-0231 | claudia.banks@saferfoundation.org