Pittsburgh to partner with nonprofit to help recently incarcerated people find work

Pittsburgh is entering into an agreement with a New York-based nonprofit to provide temporary employment to recently incarcerated people.

City Council unanimously approved the proposal on Tuesday. Councilman Ricky Burgess, who introduced the measure, said the program will help people who were in jail reacclimate to society and find employment.

The program will begin with a paid orientation. From there, participants will be placed into transitional work crews and be paid daily at a rate of $11 an hour. Workers will clean up vacant properties and maintain city-owned sites.

The program comes at no cost to the city. The nonprofit Center for Employee Opportunities will cover the workers’ wages.

Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle had called the program a “win-win for all.” He said he appreciated that the program helps recently incarcerated people find employment, while also serving as a violence prevention program and providing the city with workers to help maintain properties.

The program also includes resources to help individuals find permanent positions. It will continue to offer support to people for a year after they land a new job.