Center for Employment Opportunities

We provide employment and reentry services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. We operate in over 30 cities across 12 states, helping justice-impacted job seekers find opportunities for socioeconomic mobility. We serve more than 8,000 individuals annually and have made over 34,000 placements into full-time employment. We began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s and became an independent 501©3 non-profit in 1996.

We offer a program that includes job-readiness training, paid transitional employment, job coaching and placement, advanced training to increase earning potential, and retention services for ongoing support. Our work crews also provide services for local and state governments and private employers. Through our ‘At What Cost?’ campaign, we advocate for investments in reentry services and direct financial support to address the economic and societal impact of mass incarceration.

Our mission is to provide immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. We are dedicated to ensuring that justice-impacted job seekers have opportunities to achieve socioeconomic mobility. Our vision is that anyone with a recent criminal history who wants to work has the preparation and support needed to find a job and stay connected to the labor force.

Our program model is based on a Theory of Change. It states that by addressing the employment needs of people with criminal convictions at the point of their release or soon after conviction—through life skills education, short-term paid transitional employment, full-time job placement, and post-placement services—we can reduce reincarceration and build a foundation for a stable, productive life. Our values, developed through an inclusive process, include:

• Person-Centered, valuing the unique potential and strengths of every individual.
• Community, valuing the power of collective effort and shared commitment to reducing incarceration harms.
• Impact, insisting on equal access to employment aligning with career goals and working to eliminate barriers.
• Equity, believing everyone deserves a chance to build a stronger future and focusing on advancing racial and socio-economic justice by centering the expertise of people with direct experience in the criminal legal system.

Our team has 501-1000 employees. We are committed to improving the experience for both participants and employees, supporting a culture of continuous learning and teamwork. We help our team members grow their experiences, skill sets, and knowledge, and foster an environment that is inclusive across all identities. We welcome individuals who have faced barriers to opportunity and encourage applicants with lived justice-system experience. We offer affinity groups, such as Justice-Involved Voices, LGBTQ+, and Unidos, to promote belonging and inclusion.

We offer our employees a range of benefits and perks. These include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts, and pre-tax transit and parking benefits. Our paid time off package is generous, including 20 vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 paid holidays, 2 personal days, 1 floating holiday, paid parental leave, and various other types of leave. For financial planning, we offer a retirement plan with employer contributions and free financial wellness coaching. Employees also receive life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability coverage. We also provide access to mental health and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program. We support professional development through on-the-job learning, individual and group opportunities, and a culture of continuous learning. We offer competitive compensation, with salaries reviewed annually. Affinity groups, lunch-and-learns, team outings, and holiday gatherings promote connection and teamwork.