Training to Work
Janet Chaney has over 25 years of experience working with youth and adults in the Human Service field. She received her Masters of Human Service degree from Lincoln University and is now pursuing her Doctoral Degree in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior. She has been a part of the CTS Team for the past 7 years. Janet is an advocate for capacity building within the organization that will bring change not only to those they serve but to the staff as well.
Jeudy is an alumni of West Chester University where she attended on a full scholarship and earned her degree in International Business with a Minor in Graphic Design. She is a native of the City of Philadelphia and is fluent in English and Khmer.
TRAINING TO WORK
Adult Re-entry Program
Connection Training Services (CTS) Training to Work-3 (T2W-3) Re-entry Program services men and women 18 years or older, who are in work-release programs. The primary mission of CTS is to empower economically disadvantaged populations, returning to Philadelphia from federal, state and county prisons, and to improve the quality of their lives. This program is a holistic approach to reintegration, centered on mentoring, education, supportive services, job placement, certified vocational skills training, Job placement and family reunification. The program offers certified skills training in Forklift Operator, PENNDOT Flagger, Plumbing, and Fiber Optics & Data Communication installation, Culinary Arts, OSHA Safety, EPA Lead Abatement, Housing Air Loss Analysis & Housing Retrofit.
T2W-3 also offers personal and professional development, resume building, interviewing skills, life skills, and GED assistance. Students also receive supportive services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, food, clothing, shelter, child care, legal services, community service, license restoration, individual and family counseling services. The program boasts of respectable partnerships with multiple agencies throughout the City of Philadelphia.
CTS Re-entry program services began in 2005, and have continued since. While this is a small proportion of the 18,000 ex-offenders returning to Philadelphia annually, this program plays an important role in proving to government agencies that such programs work more effectively than prisons do, to stop ex-offenders from being saddled with a life of crime and violence.
This program creates skilled individuals, restores productivity, increases self-esteem, values and establishes respectable roles within the family and in the community. CTS has met, or exceeded all contractual goals and placed over 70% of 2,000 enrollees in 10 years. Recidivism rates also reduced from 42% to 9%. Training to Work is also funded by the Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration.
Alfred has been the Employment Specialist for the adult reentry program, at CTS, since August of 2011. He provides job preparation training to participants, by showing them how to develop their personal and professional skills, needed to attain and retain employment long-term. He obtained an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies from the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), and received his Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Philadelphia University. He currently pursues a Master’s degree in Legal Studies, with an expected graduation date of May 2017. He is an active member of the Paralegal Advisory Board at CCP, and sits on the Board of Bakers Industries, a nonprofit organization, located in Malvern, PA, which collaborates with CTS in ensuring the successful reintegration of citizens returning to the community.
Rashid is the Life Skills Coach and Lead Case Manager for the Training to Work 3 Program at Connections Training Services, and has been a psychological clinical counselor, with 28 years of experience in prison reform advocacy, correctional chaplaincy, drug and alcohol therapy, and homeless shelter management. He has a Behavioral Health degree from the Community College of Philadelphia, studied communications radio and television production at Morgan State University, a paralegal certificate from the School of Arts and Sciences, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in Psychology at Cheyney University, matriculating in the Keystone Honors Program on a full scholarship. He is currently a Master’s degree candidate at Chestnut Hill College for Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in trauma. He also is a Trainer in “Save The Peace” conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
Vanessa is the Retention Specialist for the Training to Work 3 Program. She is responsible for tracking employed students to ensure their prolonged success. Ms. Wood started as a volunteer at Connection Training Services for Training to Work 1 before being hired as the Administrative Assistant for the program in 2014. Ms. Wood prides herself on providing quality customer services and helping participants with their transitional process by working in partnership with the Department of Welfare. She is currently attending Community College of Philadelphia for a degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services.
Temicherie has been employed for CTS, for the past seven years, in various administrative roles. She currently works as the Administrative Assistant for the Training to Work 3 Re-entry Program. She enjoys working with the adult reentry population, because it is the first step towards assisting them to obtain the tools necessary to reintegrate back into society, and to begin to care for themselves and their families. Ms. Brooks stated that the best part of her job is when a successful participant returns to communicate all the fantastic things going on in their lives since the completion of the program, to the staff.