Career Link Suburban Station

Launched in July 2012, PA CareerLink® is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s initiative to transform the landscape of how job-seekers find family sustaining jobs, and how employers find the skilled candidates that they need. Each of the four PA CareerLink® Centers and satellite locations are staffed with local professionals who are equipped to help you on your unique career path.

JEVS is the operator of the largest CareerLink in the city, JEVS maintains a career resource center that includes up to date print and online materials. Career Center staff will provide personalized support and assistance so that participants can make sense of labor market information, job classifications, projected job growth, hiring trends, and training requirements in the context of their individual strengths, abilities, and interests. The Career Resource Center is staffed during normal business hours. In addition, JEVS Resource Coordinators will actively work with participants to recommend specific materials and resources that align with individual employment plans. The Career Resource Center includes a variety of print and multimedia
materials including books on career search techniques, job search engines, labor market sites including ONET, resume building sites, job-related social media sites such as LinkedIn, as well as traditional print materials including practice employment applications.

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Head inside for more information, then check below for what's next:

Alberto Alvarez

One of your first priorities is to find somewhere to sleep tonight. When you arrived back in Philadelphia, someone handed you a “Where to Turn” pamphlet in the SEPTA terminal. Take a look at the pamphlet. Does it include any information about area shelters? Because it’s a Saturday morning, your options might be limited. You don’t have a cell phone yet, so you can’t call around. Do any of the shelter options catch your eye?

Now you also realize that you’re getting hungry. Very hungry. People in your position usually have a few options. They might panhandle for spare change or a bite to eat outside of the local sandwich shop, or they might use the “Where to Turn” guide to find a local soup kitchen or food pantry. Many soup kitchens are closed on weekends. Perhaps when you arrive, you can ask the shelter if they have any suggestions.

Pick a shelter that houses men, and visit there next. Hopefully, the shelter can give you a place to stay until you are able to find a more long-term solution. Even better would be a meal to hold you over too.

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Do you have any fears about sleeping in a shelter? What if the shelter is crowded and you have to risk heat exhaustion outside?
What would you say are the main causes of homelessness? Why?
Have you ever been inside a homeless shelter? Tell the group about your experiences.
How many more stops can you make before you need food and water?

Bret Boone

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Christopher Caine

You haven’t been feeling very well over the past few days and have chalked it up to anxiety and hunger. But now you have a cough. Have you been wearing a mask today? If you can find a bed, you’re going to be sleeping in a shelter tonight with maybe dozens of other men. What if they don’t let you stay because of the cough? Outreach mentioned that Project HOME gives away free COVID-19 Rapid Tests at their drop in center in the SEPTA concourse, underneath the Municipal Services Building. They might be able to help and answer a few questions, if you can find them!

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:
People experiencing homlessness and returning citizens contract COVID-19 at a higher rate than the general population.

1. What are some reasons why they might be at risk?

2. Where would you go if you knew you had COVID-19 but had nowhere to sleep tonight?

3. In what other ways do you think that COVID-19 might present challenges for returning citizens?

Derek Dodd

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Erik Elkins

Oh no! You forgot! Quick, check your pockets. When you were released, you were given an appointment card. But in all of the hustle and bustle, you never checked to see when you have to report to Philadelphia Probation and Parole. Did you miss your appointment? If not, it’s probably a good idea to walk over to their facility and get your bearings. The address should be on the card.

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

1. Do you know what the difference is between probation and parole?
2. Are all returning citizens required to be on probation or parole?
3. What restrictions/requirements might you expect as someone on probation or parole?

Frederick Foreman

Day One is over, but the challenge of reentry is only just beginning. You have found a place to sleep and eat for the next 30 days at Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission. You connected with medical services at Project HOME’s Hub of Hope. You know where to go when it is time to check in with your P.O., and you have looked into the vocational support offered at at JEVS and CareerLink. Now it is time to rest, because you will have to take to the city streets bright and early tomorrow morning. What do you think you should work on next?

Are you prescribed any medication, and have you been taking it since your release? Do you know where you can go to find a Primary Care provider, or how you will pay for the visit? How’s your mental health? Do you have any job leads yet? Don’t let the “to-do” list overwhelm you, but understand that you still have a lot of work to do.

As you head back to the Day One Challenge reflection at Tenth Presbyterian Church, take some time to reflect upon the following questions with your group:

What surprised you the most about the Day One Challenge today? Was anything more difficult than you anticipated?
Knowing what you know now, what do you think is the greatest challenge facing returning citizens in Philadelphia?
Redemption Housing’s vision is to provide returning citizens with transitional housing, mentoring relationships, and support as they work towards independent living. If you were a resident in one of Redemption Housing’s programs, how do you think their volunteers would have been able to help you today?

Gregory Gadsden

What’s next? You need to get an ID but have no idea where to start. You need new clothes to wear. You want to look for work, but what phone number should you list on your resume? Where can you get a phone? With so many things to accomplish over the next few weeks, you could use some help from someone who knows how to navigate the systems. Someone handed you a flyer this morning for JEVS Human Services. If they’re open on a Saturday, maybe they can help.

If you had to prioritize housing, medical care, and employment in your first few weeks back from incarceration, what would you focus on first and why?

Henry Holmes

As you head back to the Day One Challenge reflection at Tenth Presbyterian Church, take some time to reflect upon the following questions with your group:

Jeremiah Jones

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Karl Kolinski

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Michael Mastellone

If you had to prioritize housing, medical care, and employment in your first few weeks back from incarceration, what would you focus on first and why?

Nicholas Neary

ANicholas Neary

If you had to prioritize housing, medical care, and employment in your first few weeks back from incarceration, what would you focus on first and why?

Patrick Pillman

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Ralph Reed

1. What are some reasons why they might be at risk?

2. Where would you go if you knew you had COVID-19 but had nowhere to sleep tonight?

3. In what other ways do you think that COVID-19 might present challenges for returning citizens?

Salvador Salas

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

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