Center for Employment Opportunities - CEO

is a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the work that remains to make freedom a reality for all.

In a new thinkpiece, Simone Price, CEO’s Director of Organizing, writes that while June 19, 1865 marked a historic milestone, freedom is more than a promise written into law. It must include access to opportunity, economic mobility, and the ability to build a future.

Today, Black Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system. That’s why CEO works alongside justice-impacted leaders, advocates, and communities to expand access to employment and strengthen pathways to economic mobility.

Read the full piece: https://ceolink.co/4epYulS

The "I" in P.R.I.D.E. stands for Inclusion.

Reentry is a spectrum, and being seen, supported, and given a fair chance should be part of every step.

For Simone, Director of Organizing & Advocacy at CEO and someone who has been directly impacted by the justice system, inclusion means not having to choose between parts of her identity or dimming any of them. It is about being recognized, respected, and supported without having to shrink or segment identity to fit in.

Inclusion is what makes reentry more than access. It makes it belonging.

No one should have to choose between a paycheck and their food security.

In this latest think piece from our CEO Sam Schaeffer, we dive into a critical flaw in the SNAP E&T program: currently, the income earned through the program can actually disqualify participants from the very food assistance they need.

This "benefit cliff" creates a risk for returning citizens who are simply trying to gain the skills they need to re-enter the workforce.

Congress has the power to fix this by passing the Training & Nutrition Stability Act (TNSA). By exempting SNAP E&T earnings from SNAP eligibility math, we can ensure that work remains a pathway to stability, not a threat to basic needs.

Read the full deep dive: https://ceolink.co/43vYPyy

Recently, CEO Detroit and CEO Pontiac brought participants, employers, and community partners together in recognition of Fair Chance Month for a day centered on growth and opportunity.

Discussions focused on navigating today’s job market and ensuring participants are positioned to thrive in the workforce. We also took time to recognize the milestones achieved by participants who secured employment and continue to drive their own success.

Thank you to all of the organizations and partners who joined us in supporting justice-impacted job seekers across Michigan.

P.R.I.D.E. in Every Step.

For Shaun, R is for Resilience. It means moving forward through housing insecurity, substance use, incarceration, and the challenges of rebuilding a life after release.

After years of navigating barriers to stability, Shaun connected with CEO Denver as a participant. Today, he serves as a P2E Instructor and Outreach Specialist, helping others access the support, employment, and opportunities they need to move forward.

Reentry takes strength. Opportunity helps make it possible.

Immediate economic stability is the strongest bridge to long-term employment. Our features deep-dives into income-supported reentry and why cash assistance works.

Check out our Income-supported Reentry issue page to see how these pilots are being scaled into real-world impact. https://ceolink.co/49JcaqJ

In a recent feature from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, CEO President and CEO Sam Schaeffer shared how we are expanding access to reentry employment services through partnership, advocacy, and innovation.

Through Opportunity 2030, we are working to help lay the foundation for a national reentry system by expanding access to proven funding streams and scaling effective reentry employment models so more people returning home can access employment pathways, supportive services, and long-term economic mobility.

Read the full piece: https://ceolink.co/4ol7U75

We’re grateful to Santander Bank US for their support of through a generous grant that helps expand access to advanced training opportunities for our participants.

Partnerships like this strengthen our ability to connect people with the skills and resources needed to build sustainable careers and long-term stability.