Finding Solutions: Nonprofit finds jobs for those affected by criminal system
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A nonprofit organization in Augusta is centered around providing to people who have been affected by the criminal justice system.
ReNForce held a ribbon cutting on Friday for a new office and training facility located downtown on Ellis Street.
They’re finding solutions in how they can help these individuals get a job.
It’s a new space to help create positive change in the lives of people facing employment barriers because of incarceration or legal convictions that are now open for business.
“We provide workforce development to justice-impacted individuals and we also train and work alongside businesses who want to include those justice-impacted individuals into their labor force,” said Executive Director of ReNForce Charlotte Garnes.
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Charlotte Garnes once found herself jobless after her employer discovered her legal conviction.
This setback led her to want to make a difference by creating ReNForce.
“We focus on professional development for career-driven people to be able to know I made a mistake in my past and I obtained this career, and I no longer have to be stigmatized because of the felony or that journey of being incarcerated,” said Garnes.
A representative from Senator Jon Ossoff’s team alongside the Downtown Development Authority and city officials were there in of ReNForce’s mission.
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“In my mind, in my estimation, everyone who has been justice impacted is not a violent, vicious criminal they may have just made a mistake, and those mistakes should not follow them for the rest of their lives and this organization promotes second chances which everyone deserves,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.
Garnes says they’re ready to help in any way they can.
“This is what I feel like you’ll have when you come to the workforce development HUB, you’ll have that , you’ll have that empathy, you’ll have that advocacy, and most importantly you’ll have that ,” said Garnes.
They are located at 246 Robert C Daniel Jr. Parkway in Augusta.
They also have the redemption house which provides housing for women returning from incarceration.
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