By Staff of the Division of Adult Parole Operations
A dozen parolees from the San Bernardino Parole Office recently successfully completed a 36-hour forklift-operator and safety program, thanks to the work of the parole office staff.
The parole office designed the pilot program along with other agencies to assist parolees who are eager to obtain full-time employment in the logistics industry.
According to organizers and those involved, the effort was a success.
To participate, parolees had to be in good standing with their Parole requirements and demonstrate skills, capabilities, and achievements consistent with a successful re-entry into society.
The parolee-participants continue to receive assistance in job skills, job retention, resume development, and mock interview practice. In addition, with the relationship the San Bernardino Community College District has with many local employers, the goal is to assist the parolee-participants to find permanent employment.
To date, one of the participants, a female parolee, has received full-time employment with a major company in Rancho Cucamonga.
Participants from CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations, also known as DAPO, included Eric Summers, district administrator of the San Bernardino office; Anthony Marquez, parole agent two-specialist with the adult programs unit; Elizabeth Ledoux, parole agent with the Foothill GPS unit; and Laura Evans, parole service associate with the adult programs unit.
Also helping was Timothy Vasquez, assistant manager, San Bernardino Community College District; and Re-Entry Specialist Steve Earl from America’s Job Center of California/Workforce Development Department.
The collaborative effort included the San Bernardino Parole District, the DAPO adult programs unit, the San Bernardino Community College District and the America’s Job Center of California/Workforce Development Department.
Men’s Warehouse, a clothing firm, also donated suits and shoes so graduates could dress to impress for job interviews.