#USA #CEO #Center for Employment Opportunities #income growth #Denver, Colorado

Reentry Program Sees Income Surge for Participants

A recent study evaluating the earnings of individuals participating in the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) reentry program reveals remarkable results. According to the findings, participants have experienced a staggering 123% increase in their median quarterly earnings within just three months of enrollment. The report, compiled by the Colorado Wage Outcomes Results Coalition and supported by the Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative, highlights the transformative impact of CEO's approach to employment support.

A Promising Model for Economic Mobility

The CEO program employs a unique and innovative model that includes immediate, paid transitional employment along with comprehensive job coaching tailored to the needs of individuals returning from incarceration. This is particularly significant in Colorado, where over 6,000 individuals re-enter society from incarceration each year, contributing to a recidivism rate of 28% within three years. The program's focus on providing job readiness and stable employment opportunities aims to break this cycle, offering participants a tangible chance for economic stability and mobility.

The report analyzed data sourced from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and detailed the following earnings growth:

• - Between the three months prior to enrollment and three months post-enrollment, average total quarterly earnings grew by 65%.
• - During the same period, the median earnings grew by 123%, demonstrating a significant rise for those in the middle of the earnings distribution compared to those at the lower and upper ends.
• - Six months after enrollment, both median and average total quarterly earnings continued to sustain or grow, indicating a robust upward trend.

Voices of Impact

Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities, expressed pride in the demonstrable outcomes of the program. He stated, “These findings reinforce what we see every day: when justice-impacted individuals are given access to meaningful support, they thrive. We are proud to contribute to a growing body of evidence that shows that investing in reentry programs produces measurable and significant outcomes—not just for the individuals, but also for communities and local economies.”

Roger Low, Founder and CEO of the Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative, echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of data-driven success for programs like CEO. He stated that the upward trajectory of earnings is encouraging and that validated data helps organizations improve how they serve their participants. Low hopes this momentum inspires various workforce, training, and postsecondary programs across Colorado to publicly report their earnings outcomes, fostering a culture of data sharing that enhances program effectiveness.

Conclusion

The findings from this report stand as a testament to the power of reentry programs in not only improving individual lives but also positively impacting communities. As more individuals successfully transition back into society with sustainable employment and a better quality of life, the vision of creating a fair chance for all becomes more attainable. These outcomes reinforce the argument for continued investment in such initiatives, which have the potential to significantly reduce recidivism rates and enhance economic development at the community level.