Second Chance Stories: Full-Circle Transformation
Ellis Simmons
“Being in R.E.E.P. has opened doors that I didn’t really foresee,” Ellis “Eli” Simmons said. “Testifying before the house and before the senate, meeting different people, our attorney general, even the governor and things like that. I don’t think that I foresaw that coming out of prison. I am truly eternally grateful.”
Eli is a “POP Guy” and a case manager for the very program that once helped him navigate the challenges of re-entering society after incarceration. Upon release, he faced the urgent need to find stable housing and secure employment.
A referral pointed Eli to the Re-Planting Employment Expansion Program (R.E.E.P.) at The Power of People Leadership Institute (POPLI). R.E.E.P. is a two-week intensive leadership and development training that prepares second-chance individuals for long-term, sustainable employment.
“The good thing about the R.E.E.P. program is that it addresses barriers to employment,” Eli said. “My biggest challenge was my time lapse in employment and explaining that gap, as well as my background.”
Eli interviewed for three positions, and a background check was the only thing standing between him and stable employment. Training from R.E.E.P. empowered Eli to approach employers and put a strong foot forward despite a criminal background.
“Get ahead of it, face it, instead of it being dragged out of you later on,” Eli said.
Ellis at R.E.E.P. Graduation
Through R.E.E.P., Eli secured a job at Re-Powered, an electronic recycling company. His work ethic and leadership qualities shone through, leading to promotions and recognition from other employers. Eventually, this paved the way for his current role as a case manager at POPLI.
For Eli, R.E.E.P. was more than just a job training program; it was a transformative experience. It addressed the barriers he faced as a returning citizen, providing him with the tools and confidence to navigate the employment landscape. The program empowered him to own his story, turning his past into a source of strength.
Today, Eli is a passionate case manager for second-chance individuals who want to change their lives, just like he did. He works tirelessly to connect second-chance individuals with opportunities that can change their lives.
“I understand the gravity and the brevity of not being employed," said Eli. "You know, so searching for second-chance employers, that are willing to give people a try, a chance at least to prove themselves, you know, before they are judged, before they get to the door.”
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