Rays of Hope

Organization: Turnabout, Inc.

Grant Round: Jumpstart

Program’s Objectives: Turnabout, Inc., a 23-year-old program whose mission is to reduce recidivism, throughout Colorado, and create lasting solutions by assisting individuals with criminal histories through career preparation and training. For the WIRED Initiative, Turnabout has created a division called "Rays of Hope" in order to serve the needs of employers and to utilize energy-related job opportunities as a pathway out of poverty and into success for some of Colorado's most disadvantaged job-seekers. Another objective of the program is to provide an opportunity for the client to improve self-esteem and to increase the odds of successful reintegration through work related solutions and support services. M

Individuals Served: 51 potential clients have been recruited, screened, and attended Turnabout, Inc. orientation and 2-day Employment Search Program. All potential clients have completed the “Rays of Hope” intake process and have had resumes prepared which are currently being distributed to employers.

Success Story: One of our clients was offered a position at a partner company. In order to receive this offer, he has maintained a job, applied and received parole, done volunteer work for our organization, and reached out for support when necessary.

Quote: "Staff you have been amazing, this is a new adventure for us and I am most appreciative to you. You have begun with a few leads and only basic knowledge of the energy field, and now in a few short months you have grown and developed wonderful partnerships and are setting us on a path in which not only our clientele will benefit, but the wider community as well, as they hire well-screened and motivated workers."
-- Rev. Tina Yankee, Executive Director, Turnabout, Inc. "Rays of Hope" program  

Collaborators: Denver Office of Economic Development, Denver’s Division of Workforce Development, Crime Prevention and Control Commission, Denver Department of Public Safety, Denver Community Corrections, Denver Works, Denver County Jail, United States Truck Driving School, Inc., Red Rocks Community College, Front Range Community College, Denver International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (ICAST), Aspen Companies, Rocky Mountain Chapter IEC, Inc., All about Saving Heat, and Green Power Company, LLC.