JEVS Looking Forward / The Choice is Yours

Looking Forward Philadelphia

The Looking Forward Philadelphia, a JEVS Reentry Initiative, is a program that works with individuals who have been recently released from prison and those who struggle with navigating the challenges of a criminal past. Looking Forward provides participants with the tools and support services they need to achieve stability, educational and skills training support leading to a career pathway. Looking Forward provides a bridge from prison to successful community reintegration by employing a holistic approach where participants receive immediate, resource support, career preparedness training, referral to academic support partners, basic needs assistance, and career placement support. Our goal is to guide our participants to the resources that will lead them to a productive and successful life, and one free of incarceration.

About JEVS Human Services

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) is a multifaceted organization that has built a reputation in Philadelphia as the “go-to” agency for effectively working with individuals who have barriers to success. JEVS’ mission is to enhance the employability, independence, and quality of life of individuals through a broad range of programs and create innovative, sustainable solutions to address current and future community needs. We serve more than 30,000 individuals annually, most of who are Philadelphia residents living below the poverty line. In addition, JEVS has representation and leadership on the Pennsylvania Reentry Council, Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, and Philadelphia Reentry Coalition, and has decades of leadership in providing support services and career development and placement assistance in the greater Philadelphia Area.

The best way to get involved at JEVS is to visit their website and find a volunteer opportunity that best suits you! Head to jevshumanservices.org/support-jevs/volunteer to sign up to volunteer.

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

Alberto Alvarez

Alberto Alvarez

While you are at JEVS, you bump into a young man, Bill. Bill is wearing a white, cut-off t-shirt, and a coffee-stained Phillies cap. He asks you for a cigarette as you strike up a conversation. He has been in and out of the city’s shelters for the past three years. “Without a decent job,” he tells you, “it’s impossible to move forward.”

Returning citizens often say that a job is one of the first things that they look for when they are released. While you were incarcerated, you worked as much as you could. But it has been a long time since you had to pass out your resume or sit through an interview. Bill tells you that he’s been to a work program that helps returning citizens at Suburban Station. You don’t know where that is, but Bill says you “can’t miss it” and points you in the right direction.

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

What challenges do you think that you are going to face in finding and keeping a job?
Do you have any ideas about what jobs are most widely available to returning citizens?

Bret Boone

Bret Boone

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?

Christopher Caine

Christopher Caine

While you are at JEVS you bump into a young man, Bill. Bill is wearing a white, cut-off t-shirt, and a coffee-stained Phillies cap. He asks you for a cigarette as you strike up a conversation. He has been in and out of the city’s shelters for the past three years. “Without a decent job,” he tells you, “it’s impossible to move forward.”

Returning citizens often say that a job is one of the first things that they look for when they are released. While you were incarcerated, you worked as much as you could. But it has been a long time since you had to pass out your resume or sit through an interview. Bill tells you that he’s been to a work program that helps returning citizens at Suburban Station. You don’t know where that is, but Bill says you “can’t miss it” and points you in the right direction.

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

What challenges do you think that you are going to face in finding and keeping a job?
Do you have any ideas about what jobs are most widely available to returning citizens?

Derek Dodd

Derek Dodd

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?

Erik Elkins

Erik Elkins

While you are at JEVS you bump into a young man, Bill. Bill is wearing a white, cut-off t-shirt, and a coffee-stained Phillies cap. He asks you for a cigarette as you strike up a conversation. He has been in and out of the city’s shelters for the past three years. “Without a decent job,” he tells you, “it’s impossible to move forward.”

Returning citizens often say that a job is one of the first things that they look for when they are released. While you were incarcerated, you worked as much as you could. But it has been a long time since you had to pass out your resume or sit through an interview. Bill tells you that he’s been to a work program that helps returning citizens at Suburban Station. You don’t know where that is, but Bill says you “can’t miss it” and points you in the right direction.

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

What challenges do you think that you are going to face in finding and keeping a job?
Do you have any ideas about what jobs are most widely available to returning citizens?

Frederick Foreman

Frederick Foreman

While you are at JEVS you bump into a young man, Bill. Bill is wearing a white, cut-off t-shirt, and a coffee-stained Phillies cap. He asks you for a cigarette as you strike up a conversation. He has been in and out of the city’s shelters for the past three years. “Without a decent job,” he tells you, “it’s impossible to move forward.”

Returning citizens often say that a job is one of the first things that they look for when they are released. While you were incarcerated, you worked as much as you could. But it has been a long time since you had to pass out your resume or sit through an interview. Bill tells you that he’s been to a work program that helps returning citizens at Suburban Station. You don’t know where that is, but Bill says you “can’t miss it” and points you in the right direction.

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

What challenges do you think that you are going to face in finding and keeping a job?
Do you have any ideas about what jobs are most widely available to returning citizens?

Gregory Gadsden

Gregory Gadsden

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?

Henry Holmes

Henry Holmes

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?

Jeremiah Jones

Jeremiah Jones

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?

Karl Kolinski

Karl Kolinski

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?

Michael Mastellone

Michael Mastellone

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?

Nicholas Neary

ANicholas Neary

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?

Patrick Pillman

Patrick Pillman

While you are at JEVS you bump into a young man, Bill. Bill is wearing a white, cut-off t-shirt, and a coffee-stained Phillies cap. He asks you for a cigarette as you strike up a conversation. He has been in and out of the city’s shelters for the past three years. “Without a decent job,” he tells you, “it’s impossible to move forward.”

Returning citizens often say that a job is one of the first things that they look for when they are released. While you were incarcerated, you worked as much as you could. But it has been a long time since you had to pass out your resume or sit through an interview. Bill tells you that he’s been to a work program that helps returning citizens at Suburban Station. You don’t know where that is, but Bill says you “can’t miss it” and points you in the right direction.

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

What challenges do you think that you are going to face in finding and keeping a job?
Do you have any ideas about what jobs are most widely available to returning citizens?

Ralph Reed

Ralph Reed

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?

Salvador Salas

Salvador Salas

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?

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