Employment Program Is Now Accepting Referrals!

The Employment Program at the Colorado AIDS Project (CAP) is now accepting referrals from service providers at CAP and other agencies throughout the Denver metro area.

The mission of the Employment Program at the Colorado AIDS Project is to improve the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS by empowering them to begin, continue, and/or maintain the work entry and re-entry process as they move toward self-sufficiency and independence.

The Employment Program seeks to accomplish its mission by providing the following services:

• Individualized Job Coaching- Referred clients meet with Employment Program Coordinator on an individual basis to explore employment goals, create an employment plan, and access resources that help client meet those goals.
• Employment Center- A drop-in resource center that has computers with internet access for job searching and checking email and resume-writing software; fax machine for sending resumes, cover letters, and other documents; copier; printer; scanner; phone; community voicemail for homeless clients; informational resources related to finding work; and information from other Denver metro area agencies.
• Job Development- A service that links clients to employment opportunities, with which CAP has established relationships, that use their skills, knowledge, etc.
• Referral Service- A service through which clients are referred to appropriate organizations and agencies that offer services that CAP is not able to provide.
• Workshop and Training Service- A service that will offer training and education in the following areas:
  • Job Readiness Training
  • Vocational Training
  • Life Skills Training

All HIV+ people in the ten-county Denver metro area (Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilbert, Jefferson, and Park counties) are eligible to use the Employment Center or participate in the other services of the Employment Program.

For a referral form or more information, please contact Paul Suazo, Employment Program Coordinator, at pauls@coloradohealthnetwork.org or 303-837-1501 extension 475.

Employment Center Is Now Open!

The Housing Services Center at CAP is happy and excited to announce that the Employment Center is now open!  The center is a service offered by the Employment Program.  More information about the Employment Program will be available in the near future in this eNewsletter as it is further developed.

The Employment Center will serve as a resource where clients will be able to access a lot of the technology necessary for job hunting.  As an example, the center will have computers with resume-writing software, internet access for online job searches and checking email, a fax machine for faxing job applications and resumes, and a phone for contacting potential employers.  In addition, the center will also have information from agencies throughout the Denver metro area that also offer employment and job services and educational resources on various topics, including such things as how to properly fill out an application or how to successfully interview.

No special knowledge or skill, educational level, or work history is necessary to access the services of the Employment Center—just a readiness to find work and a willingness to learn something new!  All people who wish to access the Employment Center will have to go through a short orientation about the services available, the types of resources to look for and use, etc.  Finally, if you are from another agency and want to send someone you serve to the Employment Center he or she must have an Employment Center card, which will show that he or she is positive without revealing his or her identity.

The Employment Center is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.  Please stay tuned to this eNewsletter for upcoming Employment Program workshops and other services to be offered in the fall.

We hope to see you and your clients in the Employment Center!

Felon-Friendly Tips and Resources: Answering Employment-Related Questions Regarding Criminal Background/History on Job Applications

When filling out an application and answering a question about felonies or criminal background, please remember the following:

• Answer the question honestly as an employment application is a legal document and falsifying information can result in termination.
• Keep in mind that the question is asked for several different reasons including: the company has a legal liability if they do not ask the question, determining if you are being honest with them, and the company does make a value judgment about you.
• Answer the question in a specifically general manner in very much the same way they asked the question.  You are providing the employer with the information.

The question may have a similar format as below.  Following the question are several suggested answers.

Question Format:

“Have you ever been convicted of any crimes/felonies, including deferred sentences/judgments in the past 7 years?  Do not include information related to parking, traffic, or misdemeanor convictions.

No_____     Yes__X__ (If ‘Yes,’ please explain)”

• Suggested Answers to this format:

• “I am currently under court supervision for a nonviolent class 4 felony and will explain upon request during the interview.”

• “I was charged with a non-violent, drug related, class 5 felony and received a deferred sentence.”

• You want to be general when answering this question and be comfortable and confident in your practiced response.
• Use descriptions such as non-violent, drug related, property related, self-defense, etc. to characterize the class of felony.
• Know that there are 6 classes of felonies and be able to explain that Class 1 is the most serious and Class is the least serious/borderline a misdemeanor.
• Do not leave the explanation blank or incomplete!
• Only list your most recent conviction(s) because most employers will only take into consideration the past seven years.

Chart Format:

• This format is becoming increasingly more familiar and it is looking for detailed information.
• Keep in mind that 80% to 90% of employers will conduct a background check to verify your level of truthfulness.
• Do not indicate that you are on probation but inform them instead that you are on court supervision.

Answering Tough Interview Questions Related to Past Offenses

Former offenders must be prepared to answer tough questions.  Employers have a right to ask and a right to expect honest answers.  Remember that failure to provide accurate or honest information on applications and in interviews can be grounds for dismissal.  Below are a few examples of tough questions that you may encounter.  Preparing answers mentally and practicing will give the individual a better chance for success.  Following each question is the advice of job search instructors, employers, and former offenders who have succeeded.

Explain your felony conviction.

Be honest.  Avoid making excuses or blaming others.  Admit your crime(s) in general terms without many details and focus on the positives.  Explain that those days are behind you and you are looking forward to making better choices and a better life for yourself (and your family if it applies.)  Finish on a high note by coming back to your skills and job qualifications.

Tell me about your time in prison.

Explain how you used your time to attend programs, increase skills, and improve yourself.  Do not blame others, make excuses, or declare your innocence.  Explain how prison helped get you redirected for a positive life and how you were able to access programs.  Keep it positive!

Why do you have lapses in your employment history?

Be honest.  Explain how your previous lifestyle was uncertain, but the future looks bright.  Take this opportunity to explain how having many jobs has made you a better person and a better employee – wider experience.  You have benefited from different management styles and can adapt and learn quickly.  Do not blame pas employers or co-workers.

How can I be sure you won’t re-offend?

Never say never.  Express what you have learned from your experiences and your desire to change.  A fresh start to life is a good thing and this employment or opportunity could be a huge step in the right direction.  Explain the benefits of hiring a parolee and how you can be an asset to the employer.

What are the conditions of your parole?

Parole officers will share the conditions of your parole with potential employers, but the employer may want to be sure you know the conditions and are willing to meet the requirements of parole.  Know your parole plan and share it openly.  Employers and program providers are looking for sincerity and honesty.  Remember when one offender fails or mistreats an employer it may ruin that opportunity for future former offenders.

Why should I hire you?

Employers will be looking for positive answers here not negative comments about others.  Remind employers that former offenders can be bonded and there are tax credits available to them for taking this chance.  Explain how parole requires employment, so you will be required to show up every day and the CPO will provide supervision.

For a list of felon-friendly employers please contact Paul Suazo at pauls@coloradohealthnetwork.org or 303-837-1501 extension 475.  The list will have to be faxed to you, so please leave a fax number when you call or email.

In addition, Turnabout, Inc., is an organization that exists to help felons and those with criminal backgrounds.  Their contact information is:

Turnabout, Inc.
915 E 9^th Ave
Denver CO  80218
Phone: 303/813-0005
Fax: 303/813-0006
www.turnabout.us

Jobs List:

Who:  Millennium Harvest House
Where:  Boulder
What:  Millennium Harvest House, a hotel, is hiring for multiple positions.
To apply:  Please call Millennium Harvest House at 303-443-3850 or email them at boulder@mhrmail.co.

Who:  TDA Design
Where:  Events throughout Denver metro area
What:  Event staff employment on an as-needed basis with relatively short notice.  Never will be full-time employment.  Duties include setting up décor, lighting, props, placing center pieces, etc.  Ability to work on and use ladder is a plus.
To apply:  Please contact Paul Suazo at pauls@coloradohealthnetwork.org or 303-837-1501 extension 475.

Who:  HS Posters, Inc.
Where:  2123 S. Platte River Dr., Denver, CO 80223 (Just West of Santa Fe and Evans)
What:  Telephone sales – sell advertising to businesses.  Base pay is $7.50/hour.  Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM with weekends and holidays off.
To apply:  Please call the company directly at 303-922-5515

For more information on Colorado AIDS Project's Employment Program, contact Paul Suazo at 303.837.0166 or click here to send an email.