Concerned Citizens of James A. Shuler Playground
To: Community Citizens, Elected Officials, Businesses and Private/Public Organizations
From: Concerned Citizens of James A. Shuler
RE: Tutoring/Life skills Project /Organizing an Advisory Board /Clean-up Playground MLK Day
Date: December 22, 2013
Dear Friends,
James A. Shuler playground has partnered with Bridges4Change to establish a pilot tutoring program that will assist children from ages (7-19) with homework, projects, papers etc. Our tutoring project is starting on Tuesday January 21, 2014 and ending on March 25th 2014 the hours of operation are every Tuesday from 3:30- 5:00 pm for 10 weeks, after the 10 week period there will be an evaluation of the progress of the program and students who are participating in the program. We will be gauging the need of program and outcomes of services rendered to at risk population during period of Tutoring Project.
We are requesting that the community becomes involved with us in keeping the playground safe and clean for the citizens who utilize its space for recreational use. James A. Shuler playground serves as a hub for our community to socialize in a positive manner and not to be treated as sewage dump or a killing ground. A place of beauty and growth for our community, a place where the older citizens can come and enjoy a place to read, relax, stretch your legs or reminisce on the good ole times. Instead of being unwillingly to leave the porch cause of the thought of bodily harm. This is why we are establishing an Advisory Board that can address the community’s possibilities for improvement and sustainability.
We would like to thank AWF, Johnny’s Corner for their continuing support for the Bridges4Change and its goal to improve community conditions.
With warm regards,
Founder/CEO Bridges4Change
Gerald S. Bolling
Friday April 12, 2013
To whom it may concern;
Today, I received notice from two of five employers that I have been denied employment because of my background. In the past few months, I’ve been interviewed by five companies; all of which have selected me for the jobs and extended conditional offers of employment pending background investigation.
1. Lowes Home Improvement (Interviewed on 2/22/2013. Denied via email)
2. Sam’s Club (Interviewed on 2/27/2013. No written response – no call-back)
3. Walmart (Interviewed on 3/15/2013. Letter received 4/4/2013, dated 4/1/2013)
4. Lutheran Settlement House (Interviewed on 3/28/2013. Verbally denied employment on 4/3/2013)
5. Ross (Interviewed on 2/22/2013. No written response – no call-back)
Of all the companies who denied me employment, Walmart turned out to be the only company that seemed it wanted to give me a shot regardless of my criminal background. They sent me a letter requesting additional information. I responded immediately by following the instructions in the letter. The instructions in the letter stated that I should call a number listed and give a recorded explanation of the details of my background and further explanation of how/why they should find me to be rehabilitated. They mentioned also in the letter; providing a copy of a certificate of good conduct and letters of recommendation along with anything else I felt would support my claim. I responded accordingly – immediately.
Today I spoke with the young lady who I met with at Walmart on Grant & Roosevelt Boulevard during my interview process. Her name was Theresa (last name unknown). She told me that I had been denied employment because of Sam’s Club’s findings based on my criminal background.
I paid a visit to Angel Cruz’ office last Friday. Mr. Cruz is Ward Leader in the district where I live. I spoke with Mr. Cruz’ assistant Bob. I showed him the letter I received from Walmart and asked his advice. He gave me information on how I could obtain a certificate of good conduct and he gave me a list of companies that employ ex-offenders. Walmart was on the list he gave me. Sam’s Club, however, was not on the list. I felt hopeful, so I pursued the Walmart job feeling they would give me a shot. I put together a full package which included:
· Summary of my accomplishments with specific address to the questions asked in their letter
· Certificate of Good Conduct (In the form of a statement from the PA prison system)
· Letter of Recommendation from my state parole agent
· Letters of Recommendation from three (3) of my superiors at Orleans Technical Institute
· Letter of Recommendation from a previous employer
· Transcripts from Orleans Technical Institute highlighting my exemplary grades and high GPA (3.7)
Each day, I speak with people at the Mayor’s office and other city organizations and they tell me there are countless programs that help ex-offenders re-enter the workforce and offer opportunities to ex-offenders without discrimination based on criminal background. It seems none of these programs or initiatives apply to me because I’m going out there and putting my best foot forward and even knocking them dead (in a good way) in the interviews to the point where they offer me the job immediately. Yet, when it gets to my criminal background, I’m denied employment each time.
I feel certain that I’m the product of discrimination on the basis of my criminal background. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, that is a direct violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Please accept this as my plea for assistance in this matter. I admit I have had some issues in my past but I assure you I have done my time and I am now trying my very best to stand up and be accounted for but I need to be granted the opportunity. I ask this not only so that I can establish and sustain gainful employment, but moreover, so that I can be counted as an equal contributor to the community.
Sincerely Yours,
Shari f J. Johnson
Mr. Sharif J. Johnson