'Second Chance' event planned for Wednesday
By From staff reports
Published in News on January 24, 2012 1:46 PM
The STOP the Funeral Initiative, in collaboration with Rebuilding Broken Places CDC, the Goldsboro Wayne Chapter of the NAACP and Covenant Partners from the faith community, is implementing a unique focused strategy in response to gang-related violence and drug abuse.
This year conference participants will participate in the Second Chance Program consisting of workshops, seminars, opportunity fairs, job fairs, and more. This first event will be held Wednesday at Rebuilding Broken Places at noon and will focus on providing entrepreneurial resources for people who have served time in prison.
"Often these individuals are unable to find employment because of their criminal record but they have to work. We hope to give them the opportunity to 'make their own employment' through this process and to make change a reality in their lives," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, state NAACP president.
The N.C. Rural Center Microenterprise Loan program offers small, low interest loans to people who are often left out of the small business lending arena. "Partnering with them allows us to offer the technical assistance needed to help bring good ideas to life," said John Barnes, CEO of Rebuilding Broken Places CDC.
Although aimed at helping former inmates, the workshop is open to anyone interested in starting a business.
The event is free but attendees are asked to register at http://bit. ly/stfiewrkshop
For more information, call program manager Francine Smith at 919-581-9178, ext. 104 or by email at theunity revival@gmail.com.