RBPCDC, CSI and NC Rural Center Present Entrepreneurial Workshop for the Formerly Incarcerated

Jan. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- Goldsboro - STOP the Funeral Initiative, formed in collaboration with Rebuilding Broken Places CDC, the Goldsboro Wayne Chapter of the NAACP and Covenant Partners from the faith community, has been implementing a unique focused strategy in response to the current gang related violence and drug abuse crisis in our community as evidenced by the April, 2007 violent incident outside of the McIntyre Funeral Home and Gardens and the continuing violence and senseless loss of life that plagues our community.  

This year conference participants will participate in our Second Chance Program throughout next year consisting of workshops, seminars, opportunity fairs, job fairs, and more. Our first event will be held on January 25th at RBPCDC at 12:00PM and will focus on providing entrepreneurial resources for the formerly incarcerated.  “Often these individuals are unable to find employment because of their criminal record.  We hope to give them the opportunity to “make their own employment” through this process”, said Rev. Michael Stephens, Stop the Funeral Initiative Co-Convener.

The workshop will feature Community Success Initiative(CSI) and the NC Rural Center.   CSI, through a network of community partners, works with men and women in prison, former prisoners, people in transition, and their families through their "Resource Center Without Walls". They provide small group trainings and individual mentoring in general life skills, leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and areas related to transitioning back into family and community life.  The NC Rural Center will feature its Microenterprise Loan Program which works with individuals who have sound ideas for starting or expanding a small business but may not qualify for bank loans. The loans are offered in combination with business planning and technical assistance.

Although targeted to formerly incarcerated, the workshop is open to anyone interested in starting a business. The event is free but attendees are asked to register at: bit.ly/stfiewrkshop

If you have questions or desire further information, please contact Francine Smith, Program Manager at our office at (919) 581-9178 ext. 104 or by email at theunityrevival@gmail.com

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A collaborative effort of RBPCDC, Goldsboro/Wayne Branch-NAACP, and the faith community united to be a catalyst for stopping drug and gang violence in Wayne County. Begun in April, 2007 after a homicide following a funeral at McIntyre’s Funeral Home