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Help for Ex-Offenders to Start Businesses

 

In the United States, an estimated 650,000 individuals are released from prison annually, according to a 2007 report by the U.S. Department of Labor. Locating work presents a difficult challenge and many turn to entrepreneurship to earn a decent living. But funding is scarce due to federal regulations for the disbursement of grants. Ex-offenders can take advantage of a number of community, state and federal programs that teach the skills required to start a business.

 

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8593059_exoffenders-start-businesses.html

 

Job Skills Training

 

  • The ability to work with customers, employees and the general public is essential to starting a business. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Correctional Education (OCE) provides funding to state-level agencies for the development of job and life skills training programs. The programs focus on self-development, communication skills and employment training. The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) also offers training for the development of re-entry programs to correctional facility staff and other organizations. The Prison Entrepreneurship Program, or PEP, offers an entrepreneurship training program, called eSchool, that gives ex-offenders access to university-level professors. Individuals interested in employment training can contact OCE at 1-800-872-5327, NIC at 1-800-995-6423 and PEP at info@pep.org for additional information.


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8593059_exoffenders-start-businesses.html

 

Financial Literacy

 

  • Many ex-offenders face mounting debt during their time in prison. The inability to locate gainful employment upon release only worsens financial health -- and serves as a barrier to starting a business. Corrections organizations at the community level offer financial literacy programs that help ex-offenders gain control of their finances. Organizations focus on teaching credit, banking and financial principles. For example, Goodwill Industries International offers specialized services for people with a criminal history. Goodwill's employment specialists can offer entrepreneurship and financial health resources. Individuals interested in locating additional programs can contact their local or state government agency and other charitable organizations for information.


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8593059_exoffenders-start-businesses.html

 

Funding

 

  • Funding may present the biggest challenge when starting a business. A criminal history limits federal and state grants, but other options exist. Venture capitalists invest money into start-ups and own a portion of the company in return. The National Venture Capital Association provides a listing of venture capital organizations in the United States. PEP also offers networking opportunities to identify possible funding sources.


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8593059_exoffenders-start-businesses.html

 

Mentoring

 

  • A mentoring partnership can expose an entrepreneur to concepts, coaching and ideas from skilled and experienced business owners. Furthermore, mentoring programs help establish the skills and support system necessary to successfully re-enter society. Community organizations and state correction programs can direct interested individuals to a number of mentoring resources.


Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8593059_exoffenders-start-businesses.html



 

 

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