NEW ORLEANS — Urban League of Louisiana is pleased to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from Aetna Better Health of Louisiana. The grant will support the Career Pathways Program in the Greater Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. The two organizations will collaborate to help formerly incarcerated persons successfully transition into the workforce and reenter their communities.
The check presentation will take place today, Wednesday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. during the Urban League's Annual Suits for Hire Career and Resource Fair, held in the Hilton Riverside Hotel Grand Ballroom, New Orleans. In 2017, more than 500 attendees had an opportunity to visit with over 75 employers from various industries throughout the region. This year's event is expected to attract even more career seekers.
"Cross-sector collaboration is an effective model for serving the most vulnerable populations," said President and CEO, Urban League of Louisiana Judy Reese Morse. "As we continue to create strategies to address the needs of career seekers, the Urban League of Louisiana is pleased to work with Aetna Better Health of Louisiana to support comprehensive workforce services to facilitate successful reentry of returning citizens into their communities and the workplace."
Roughly 50 percent of the offender population is assigned to state correctional facilities, while the other half is assigned to local-level jails and transitional work programs. Each year, approximately 18,000 offenders are released from state prisons and jails to communities across Louisiana. Many face challenges of finding a place to live, finding employment, and accessing services and programs that will assist them in successfully reintegrating into their communities.
"Collaborating with organizations such as the Urban League is a priority for us at Aetna Better Health," said CEO of Aetna Better Health of Louisiana Rick Born. "These partnerships allow us to bring vital resources to the reentry population and provide the opportunity for them to gain experience, tools, support and skills that will enhance their capacity to succeed in the workforce."
