Abu's Path from Parole to Promotion
Abu, the youngest of ten kids raised in Chicago, has never been one to coast through anything in life; when he develops a passion for something, whether it be Scrabble, public speaking, or manufacturing operations, he goes all in. “I was raised to work,” says Abu. “I learned early on that if you are dedicated to something and set goals, then you can succeed.”
Abu was released last year and referred to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Columbus by his parole officer for help finding jobs. He began transitional work, gaining experience at the Ohio DOT while focusing on finding advanced training opportunities offered by the program. He met with his job coach at CEO and found something he was interested in at Columbus State Community College.
“The college had a three-week manufacturer training program which CEO graciously offered to pay for,” says Abu. “After I passed a final exam for the class, Columbus State set up five job interviews with different partner companies. It was a little intimidating but I did really well and was offered a position with two of the five – those were the fair-chance employers.”
The food product manufacturing company that Abu decided to work for started him out as a mixer on the second shift with a very generous hourly wage, and after two months on the job, offered him a promotion with a raise and full benefits.
“Getting this opportunity has transformed my life by allowing me to support myself and not have to rely on other people,” Abu says. “I’m able to pay my rent and other bills, and that gives me and my family the financial security that we need. And because CEO believed in me, I now have the tools that I need to build a career and have a better future.”
Abu is not an exception; his reentry success is copied every day at CEO offices around the country. But while CEO supports advanced training and job placement, they acknowledge that the participants are doing the work and putting in the effort.
Abu explains that he spent 17 years thinking about what was possible when he got out, and when the time came to put his plans into action, he knew that he had to be an example for his son and younger cousins.
“Every time I talk to my son, I remind myself that I need to stay focused on what I really want or this could all disappear in an instant,” says Abu. “Because of CEO and Columbus State I now have a better quality of life and a career path. I’m excited about the future and it’s just unfathomable to me that I have so many blessings. I can’t believe it sometimes.”
Abu knows that without hard work there would be no opportunity, so he continues to be an asset to his employer and shows up with a good attitude. “I was set up to win when I came home, so now I know anything is possible if you have the right mindset.”
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