working to help ex cons!

[CLIFLOW]

I really typed of this big introduction about myself and all kinds of info. However, when I tried to submit it I lost it cause I put alink in it due to the fact that you have to have15 post before you can provide links. I didn't know that! Anyway I am an ex-con and I have turned mylife around although I have witnessed a serious injustice lately and that injustice is discrimination against convicted felons in america!!!

[Critter07]

Welcome to PTO, Cliflow! Really glad to have you here. I wish more ex-cons would post on the boards...

Kudos to you for turning your life around! It's not always an easy task but it can certainly be accomplished if you want to badly enough. Your tag line said that you were working to help ex-cons. Is that because of the discrimination against convicted felons that you are witnessing now? I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on this.

My baby and I, as well as my daughter, are in the planning stages of some type of help for ex-cons once he is home and we all have some education behind us in the field. I definitely feel there needs to be more help and services in place to help these guys get back on their feet, out into the working world and living life again.

Hope to see more of your posts. Feel free to share anytime...

[CLIFLOW]

Yes I am trying to help not only myself,but all the good dudes that I served time with and all the good guys that are going through the struggle... I am so tired so please excuse my typos and run ons if I do so !

I am trying to get my 15 post so I can post my petition on this site that I created today. I just created the petition and it may need to be tweaked a little, but I think I am getting my point across...

You should check it out once I post it and let me know what you think...

[Critter07]

I absolutely will check it out. Tell us about it. What are you trying to accomplish?

[CLIFLOW]

well first of all there is some serious discrimination happening right in front of our own eys! On every job application you see have you been convicted of a felony! Employers don't ask that because they plan on giving you abonus if you check yes. They ask simply because the don't wont the risk of a felon working for them.

Alot of openmined people like myseldf would think that no all you have to do is prove you changen,but 95% of the time that is not the case! The employer will simply discriminate against you simply if you have a felony!

The fact is that I have been an electrical contactor with my father in-law for the last five years and we did great on commercial and industrial jobs. However along with a lot of companies we went banktrupt with the combination of bad contracts and this recession. Eventhough, most people that know me know me to be a stand up guy. That still does not alow me to work in government contracts, federal buildings and obtain clearences that I may need in order to make a good living in my trade... Therfore I have been discriminated against by alot of employers here during my job persuit... Things have to change atleast in wv I don't know what your state is like? I could go on and on ,................

[Critter07]

That is true, without a doubt. I've actually thought a lot about this lately. If someone is a convicted felon and has served their time or really anyone with a criminal record, then once they're paid their debt, it seems rather non-sensical to me to continue to make them pay for their crime forever more... I can see it in some instances, like someone guilty of armed robbery, it should be the employer's choice to bar them from working a cash register or at a bank. Or someone who has abused children shouldn't work at a daycare. But other lines of work should be open to them.

I know that the field you're in is probably one of the easier fields to become employed with a record. Most construction companies will hire someone on, particularly if there are no government contracts involved, such as residential and light industrial. But generally, those tend to be seasonal work and then what do you do for the rest of the year? (smile)

I do understand your frustration with being unable to get the clearances for federal buildings and the lucrative contracts, as you've described. My man's trade is roofing and while I think he has a better chance than many to become gainfully employed in that field should he choose to, it might come down to me starting a company in my name and hiring him as an employee because I don't believe he can even get a business license in our state with a record, though I'm not certain of that yet.

There was a time when you could prove yourself to an employer and be hired and judged on your ability and the kind of worker you were but in today's world, that little box on the application can make or break someone from getting that job.

Once you're able to post your link, please feel free to PM me just in case I miss your post. I would love to read your petition and see what you're trying to change. There does need to be change and it has to start somewhere. Grass roots movements have changed a lot of things over the years...(smile)

[Cactus]

Welcome to PTO! You’ve come to the right place for support. Congratulations on your recent release. I hope everything comes together for you, it takes time. It took me a while to get past some of the dreams of still being there. Hey, I wish you the best!
Here is a couple of links from the PTO Forums; Coming Home & Success Stories,
Now That Your Loved One Is Home... & Employment & Support Networks and Programs.
I hope that helps and again, welcome!

[CLIFLOW]

Yes I will difinitely pm you once I get my link up! You sound very intelligent and someone that I would like to have on my side...

As for your man being a roofer he shouldn't have any problems getting work that is if he can find it!! The problem that a lot of blue collar americans are having is not only finding work, but getting the job over an immigrant is a task in it self!!

Yes as for the petition it is clear and direct and I can't wait for your opinion!!

[Critter07]

Yes, the employment issue, even in the best of circumstances, is certainly more bleak at this point than it has been in the past. Those without the hindrance of a felony record are struggling so it's doubly hard for anyone trying to re-enter society and become gainfully employed.

Looking forward to getting the link for your petition. Thanks for your insight and I wish you the very best of luck!

[jmewo]

I'd like to sign this petition!!!! Where can I find the link???

[24jf]

I too am very interested in your petition.. Please pm me the link to where I can read and sign it.

Thanks and welcome to PTO!! I look forward to hearing much more from you

[CLIFLOW]

I HAVE TO HAVE IT ON FACE BOOK TRYING TO GET IT CIRCULATED.. ARE YOU ON FACE BOOK? IF YOU WANNA SEND ME A FRIEND INVETE i WILL SHOOT IT TO YOU!AND YOU CAN SEND IT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AS WELL...

THE BEST PART IS THAT MOST OF YOU GUYS HAVE A LOVE ONE IN PRISON AND THEY CAN REALLY HELP THIS CAUSE! THEY CAN TELL FRIENDS AND THEIR FRIENDS CAN TELL THETR FAMILIES AND SO ON!!!
LETS STAND TOGETHER OR WE ALL WILL FALL!!!

[Mrs.B_3608]

let me know also...id like to see and sign it

[Michaels Mom]

I signed... God Bless you and hey...' I hope you have the time of your life'