At the Waterbury Reentry Welcome Center, every seat tells a story—and on most Fridays, those seats are filled. What began as a modest idea from former University of New Haven intern Samantha Villa has grown into a transformative program known as the Job Club. Each week, participants gather not just to learn how to find employment but to rebuild their lives—one honest conversation, one hard-earned skill, and one second chance at a time.
The barriers faced by individuals returning from incarceration are steep and often invisible to those who haven’t walked that path. “People need to understand—it’s not that we aren’t trying to get jobs,” said Tracie Bernardi Guzman, Case Manager at the Center and a powerful mentor to the group. “It’s that when you come home, you don’t have transportation, you might not have decent clothes or even a place to shower. Hygiene, presentation, body language—all the things that matter in an interview—become immediate obstacles.”
For many, those first steps back into society begin with impossible choices. Do you spend what little money you have on a bus for a job interview or a meal for the day? Can you make it to a job if you’re still navigating parole requirements that limit your availability? These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re the daily calculations faced by people determined to turn their lives around.
Yet despite these odds, participants show up—week after week—ready to learn, determined to push forward.
In recent sessions, the focus turned to the harsh reality of background checks and the importance of honesty. “You can sit in an interview and present your best self, but when that background check hits, the employer feels blindsided if you haven’t been upfront,” Tracie explained. “You have to own your story before someone else writes it for you.”
One participant, Andrew, put it plainly: “I didn’t lie—I never hid it. I just never talked about it. But if they’re pulling up my record on Google or that CoPilot app before I get a chance to explain, they’ve already made up their minds.”
Another participant, Denzel, shared how he overcame rejection by emphasizing his personal growth. “During my incarceration, I earned my GED, took anger management classes, and learned better decision-making skills. That’s the person I want employers to see.”
The group also explored the emotional weight of explaining employment gaps. “Don’t lie about it,” Tommy advised. “They’ll know. And when they do, they’ll wonder what else you’re hiding.” Tracie agreed, encouraging participants to develop a narrative that acknowledges their past while focusing on who they are now. “Tell them how you’ve grown. Employers respect honesty and people who show they’ve done the work to change.”
Beyond interview preparation, the sessions offer practical tools to navigate a tough job market. Participants learned about HonestJobs.com, a website dedicated to connecting justice-impacted individuals with employers who believe in second chances, and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a program that offers tax incentives to employers who hire individuals with records.
And in moments of real-world reflection, they discussed the hard truth that sometimes pride must be set aside to take the jobs available now while working toward better opportunities.
One participant, Joseph, admitted he used to think he was above certain jobs—fast food, sanitation work, warehouse shifts—but after struggling to find stable income, he shifted his perspective. “Now, I’ll work anywhere,” he said. “I want to be financially stable. I want to take care of my kids. It doesn’t matter if I’m taking out the trash or wearing a uniform—I’m working.”
The group laughed knowingly when garbage collection came up. As it turns out, City of Waterbury sanitation workers earn solid wages, work half-days, and receive benefits that many other jobs don’t provide. “That’s not just a job,” Tracie reminded them. “That’s a career with a pension. Sometimes the job you never thought you’d take turns out to be the one that changes your life.”
Yet the road to employment isn’t just about finding any job, it’s about keeping it. Participants discussed the importance of leaving jobs gracefully and why burning bridges with employers can haunt them for years. “If you just walk off a job, that follows you,” Tommy admitted. “Companies are connected, and your reputation moves with you.”
One man reflected on how that lesson had already impacted his job search. “When I was younger, I’d leave jobs without giving notice because I didn’t think it mattered. Now I realize those decisions are coming back to haunt me.”
Participants practiced how to answer difficult interview questions using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—and even prepared for curveball questions like, “What’s your superpower?” Joanne smiled and answered, “My superpower is that I’ve been through the fire and came out stronger. I’m resilient, and I’m ready to work.”
The conversation turned to how appearance, body language, and even the way you smell can leave a lasting impression. “It’s sad, but those things matter,” Tracie told them. “When you’re going for a job, you’re selling yourself. I have to make that employer want me before they want everyone else.”
But it’s not just about selling skills, it’s about owning the whole story. And technology is changing that narrative faster than ever before. Participants learned how employers can easily find information through apps like CoPilot and Google searches, making it more critical to control their own narratives. They also learned how to use AI-powered tools like ChatGPT to refine their resumes and craft personalized cover letters that highlight their growth.
Despite the hard conversations, hope remained a constant theme. Participants talked about their dreams—starting businesses, working in recovery services, opening an ice cream shop, or becoming mentors for young people at risk of following the same path they had walked.
“Reentry isn’t just about housing and jobs—it’s also about healing,” Tracie reminded the group. “Second chances aren’t just about jobs. They’re about dignity, purpose, and community. And it starts right here—with the courage to show up, the willingness to learn, and the belief that no barrier is too great to overcome.”
Your Support Creates Second Chances
Programs like CPA’s Job Club wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors. Last year, United Way of Greater Waterbury provided a three-year grant (of $20,000 per year) to support this program. While we continue to fight for state funding—advocating for a portion of the current proposed state budget to support our Reentry Welcome Centers in Hartford and Waterbury, your contributions directly empower individuals working hard to rebuild their lives.
Together, we can make Connecticut’s communities stronger, safer, and more compassionate by investing in second chances. Join us in breaking down barriers and opening doors for those who deserve a fresh start.
Visit www.cpa-ct.org/donate to support our life-changing reentry work today.