Workforce Development
Eliminating reentry barriers by improving employment outcomes helps formerly incarcerated individuals achieve stability.
One of the greatest challenges people face after returning home from jail or prison is securing a job, but with the right guidance and resources, meaningful opportunities can be achieved. We work in the community, providing classes and skills training to help systems-impacted women reach sustainable, long-term employment.
Job Training and Career Development
We prepare our clients for work readiness through hands-on experience.
Our Workforce Development program offers opportunities for gainful employment. We aim for our clients to complete the program feeling capable, empowered, and inspired.
“The Workforce Development program has helped me achieve my goals by providing the tools, guidance, and support I need to build a successful future.”
— Iyahna, WPA participant
Job-Readiness Training and Certification Courses
As part of our reentry services, we offer in-person classes for formerly incarcerated women in New York City. Participants receive specialized job training and learn hard and soft skills. To keep classes accessible, participants are provided with stipends and MetroCards.
Classes prepare participants for employment and networking through skill training, including professional goal setting, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution, job retention and career advancement strategies, customer service and sales, financial literacy, and budgeting. Participants learn how to develop and communicate their strengths in professional settings, supporting career growth.
The relationships people build in community-driven spaces can be transformational. Classes encourage connections through team-building exercises, group activities, and peer feedback, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Empowerment Workshops
WPA partners with local organizations and leaders for empowerment workshops that encourage participants to find their inner strengths. These workshops inspire systems-impacted women to build a growth mindset and set achievable, career-oriented goals.
Application Support and Job Placement
Through resumé and cover letter strategy and interview prep, we prepare our participants for the application process. After program completion, we connect participants with networking and mentorship opportunities and assist with job placement. Through Workforce Development, we support our program participants every step of the way—from initial intake to class graduation and beyond.
Program Eligibility
We accept clients who:
- Are ages 18+
- Are formerly incarcerated women and LGBTQIA+ individuals
- Have current or past involvement in criminal legal systems
- Are able to attend in-person classes in New York City
Clients must meet all of these requirements to enroll.
Programs
WPA offers comprehensive programs and services before, during, and after incarceration.
About WPA
WPA empowers participants to redefine their lives in the face of injustice and incarceration.