Dayton Daily News
Cummings: Agency helping freed felons
After five or six years of trying to persuade private sector employers to hire ex-felons, Craig Powell said PowerNet of Dayton, a group he founded, has revamped its mission.
“Once you’ve pounded your head against a wall long enough, you either tear down the wall or you change directions,” he said. “We’ve been trying to get the private sector to step up and hire people who are ready to work, and we can’t get past the barriers.
“Now we’re trying to move more into entrepreneurship, starting our own business. We’re using the skills some of our guys have to go out and improve the community. Landscaping, beautification, renovating houses, cleaning vacant lots, roofing, planting flowers. If somebody has got work to do, we can do it.”
The Community-Wide Ex-Offender Reentry Task Force was formed last year to develop a program that will address employment issues as well as housing, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and legal issues. Powell, executive coordinator of PowerNet, is involved in the task force, but said felons can’t wait for the task force to produce results.
He said more than 100 released felons contact PowerNet every month, and they’re desperate for immediate help getting a foothold in a community that doesn’t necessarily want them.
Powell said PowerNet secured small grants that allowed the agency to buy vehicles and tools, and they’ve received enough work to keep 15 to 20 men busy each week. But many of the jobs they’ve done so far have been for other nonprofit agencies at little or no pay, and that has to change if the project is to survive.
“This can be a proving ground where we can document that a person can show up on time, be productive, have a good attitude, take direction. We can show they’re ready for full-time work,” he said.
“But these are people who need some income to support themselves and take care of their families. What we need most now are people who will hire our crews for pay. Maybe there’s even some service contracts we can win.”
Powell said PowerNet has posted 10 billboards around Montgomery County with their company slogan “How can we assist you?” He’s hoping the billboards and other outreach issues get people to call PowerNet at (937) 225-3120 to see if the agency’s crews might fit their needs.
He said the agency is renovating a building at 402 Salem Ave., Dayton, to act as the work program’s headquarters, and he hopes that will help with marketing.
“We’re not asking people to hire us just so they can give an ex-felon a break,” Powell said. “We’re not trying to turn a profit, so our rates are low, and we really think we can compete do some good in our community.”
PowerNet’s fourth annual conference is April 30 to May 2 at Sinclair Community College. Call, or visit PowerNetofDayton.org online.
