Alisha Brooks-Hall

Alisha Brooks-Hall is standing tall. She is a young mother almost through college, on her way to becoming a social worker. As a graduate of one of the pre-release programs that Towards Employment offers, she started her second career journey while incarcerated. She did not let grief and loss get the best of her, even though it seemed in initial job searches all she heard was no. Alisha’s goal is to help people returning home from prison to create networks and find resources, so they can find strength to get back up and move forward.

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Jaymone Whittaker

At 16 Jaymone Whittaker did think that his life could include a career. In fact, he almost lost his life in the summer of his sixteenth year. After serving time in the correctional system as a teen, Jaymone thought that loss was all life had to offer – he was numb. Nothing made him feel alive. But in the middle of an assessment interview at Towards Employment, a case manager seemed to know how he was feeling – he told him that he had been in prison himself. At that point Jaymone knew that there could be more to his life. He has worked hard to become a young adult Career Coach – “I want to be in a position to have positive impact – so other people can avoid the road I had to take.”

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Success stories: Five inspiring stories and live jazz at free Towards Employment event

Article published October 22, 2024 Read the full article at FreshWater Towards Employment (TE), the non-profit workforce development agency that champions the potential of every person—regardless of their backgrounds—and prepares them to gain meaningful employment—will celebrate the power of Cleveland’s people with “A Work & Reentry Experience” on Monday, Oct. 28 at the Fatima Center and the Hough branch…

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Experience the Power of Cleveland’s Stories and Music on October 28

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Adaora Schmiedl, 216-696-7310, aschmiedl@towardsemployment.org Cleveland, OH – [October 21, 2024]   Celebrate the power of Cleveland’s people at an inspirational and meaningful live performance where world-renowned jazz artist Dominick Farinacci of Modern Warrior LIVE partners with Towards Employment, a Cleveland-based non-profit helping people—including those with past justice involvement— connect to equitable…

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Tracy Patton

Tracy Patton struggled with a lifetime of addiction. Her experiences battling addiction and returning from incarceration fuel her commitment to community and to other women struggling with addiction. Tracy went through Towards Employment in 2012 and started a career pathway in hospitality. After five years, she found her way to providing direct assistance to women addressing mental health and dependency. She is currently a Substance Use Disorder Counselor, a Quality Mental Health Specialist, a Smoking Cessation Specialist and the founder of Survived To Live For Women In Recovery.

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LaTonya Cliff

LaTonya Cliff is a Case Manager at Towards Employment working with young men and women, hoping that they can learn from their experiences and find the strength and connections needed to build a career. She knows firsthand how trauma, violence and abuse can lead to bad decisions and chaos, and as she listens to the younger participants and graduates of Towards Employment, her life and career journey provide a foundation she uses to provide council, understanding and inspiration.

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Ronnie Cannon

Ronnie Cannon is a respected member of the Cleveland community. He is a father, a colleague, sits on non-profit boards and serves on citywide initiatives. He is committed to making sure fellow Clevelanders know they are greater than their worst action. As a young person, Ronnie made a decision that influenced the trajectory of his life, and this experience continues to shape his actions, to the benefit of many. He came to Towards Employment in 2012 and advanced steadily – he is currently a member of the leadership Towards Employment team, serving as the Senior Manager of Community Engagement.

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Press Release: Amazing CLE Experience – World Class Jazz Meets Real Life Stories

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Adaora Schmiedl, 216-401-6883, aschmiedl@towardsemployment.org June 4, 2024 – CLEVELAND – Dominick Farinacci, international jazz artist, Cleveland native and co-creator of Modern Warrior LIVE, is no stranger to the world jazz stage. Towards Employment, founded in 1976 to support Clevelanders in their efforts to keep a job, and evolving over the…

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Linda Butts

Real people, Linda Butts Towards Employment Alumni I am living proof that you can come from nothing and be something.” I am a product of the foster care system, and I raised my children as a single Mom. I faced obstacles and I found resources. Now I get to tell how I did it. My…

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