The New Jersey Reentry Corp. announced Tuesday that it was selected to be part of the Grow with Google initiative that will provide digital skills programs to advance economic opportunity for people impacted by incarceration.
In June 2022, Google launched the $4 million Grow with Google Fund for Justice-Impacted
Communities to enable organizations to teach digital skills to people who have been
impacted by the justice system.
More than 500 organizations applied. NJRC was one of 65 nonprofits selected that have a proven track record of supporting justice-impacted communities and have the capacity to provide digital skills training at scale.
Together with these partners, Google is equipping people who have been impacted by the justice system with digital skills that will help them get a job or start a business.
The New Jersey Reentry Corp. program, which removes barriers to employment for the justice-impacted community, said it will use the new funding to integrate Google’s information technology curriculum into its existing programming so that people impacted by incarceration can learn skills for today’s jobs.
Having the opportunity to incorporate Google’s curriculum into NJRC’s employment training workshops will enhance its ability to prepare participants for the workforce.
“NJRC is committed to providing a healthy pathway for court-involved persons to reenter society. Providing medical, addiction and mental health care, legal services, housing referrals and, ultimately, job training and employment, NJRC greatly values our Google partnership to provide the digital skills necessary to compete in the workplace. Google’s digital skills will strengthen our program participants’ ability to navigate daily life and compete for good quality jobs,” James McGreevey, executive director/chairman, the New Jersey Reentry Corp., stated.
“As we work to create a more inclusive economy, we’re committed to helping people impacted by incarceration access training for today’s jobs,” Tia McLaurin, senior manager, Grow with Google, said. “We’re proud to work with outstanding partners to ensure more people can qualify for great jobs and create a new beginning for themselves and their families.”
Google’s digital skills curriculum was co-curated with five nonprofits — the Last Mile, Center for Employment Opportunities, Defy Ventures, Fortune Society and the Ladies of Hope Ministries. The program’s training includes five learning paths that Google developed in collaboration with nonprofit partners: 1) Getting Started with the Basics; 2) Job Search; 3) Job Readiness; 4) Online Safety; and 5) “Next Step” Job Readiness Skills.
