Vermont Works for Women has always held strong values around the transformative power of work and the potential within every individual to take positive risks, face challenges, and pursue their interests as they develop a greater notion of what is possible. These values are the foundation of our work supporting currently incarcerated women and gender-expansive individuals, and folks with a history of justice involvement.
VWW has been working as a contracted service provider for the Department of Corrections, providing services for the female population, since 2001. Our programs in the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) strive to give each participant agency around work and life skills and support them to establish goals for their future.
Our goal is to create employment pathways for individuals where they can apply skills gained during incarceration to sustainable, well-paying jobs when they reenter the community that will lead to economic independence and stability. Core to these programs is a deep understanding of the unique needs of justice-involved individuals so that our programs and supports are gender- and trauma-responsive.
At The Career Resource Center (CRC), VWW offers a wide range of programming to the incarcerated population at CRCF.
From weekly classes that build transferable skills in the workplace to workshops on financial wellness, the CRC supports participants in strengthening themselves and gaining the tools needed to succeed in the community.
VWW staff work one-on-one with the incarcerated population to support folks with career exploration and creating employment plans for post-release.
The goal is to support the population in finding not just a job, but a sustainable career path that reflects their passions and strengths.
Once someone is released from incarceration, many of the services they received either end, or are transferred to a community-based agency. At VWW, we can continue providing employment and career coaching to clients once they’re released into the community. Staff support clients to implement their transitional plans for job search and connect them with inclusive hiring employers who are more likely to look past their criminal record and assess the person as they are today. We assist clients in gaining employment, navigating obstacles that risk retention, and assist in the pursuit of advancement opportunities.
In addition to coaching, our staff assist clients to explore opportunities to establish social connections within the community that will strengthen their networks of support and resources. VWW helps clients build a stable foundation for a life with fulfillment and meaning.
Contact me with any questions, ideas, or interest in partnering for in-facility programs and services at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility.
Contact me with any questions, ideas, or interest in re-entry and community reintegration.