WORKFORCE & REENTRY
individuals. families. communities
BACR workforce and reentry programs provide resilient youth and adults who have barriers to success with the wrap-around services that re-engage them in education and prepare them for careers that lead to economic self-sufficiency. For those who are justice-involved, we provide intensive court advocacy and work with youth, their families, and the justice system to get young people off the prison track and into successful career and education pathways.
We target high-demand industries in which participants can make living wages and have career advancement opportunities. We address participants’ feelings of alienation/hopelessness through leadership development, intensive case management, and career coaching. We build soft skills through a proven training curriculum. Our model ensures that participants can make informed choices about employment and education based on their own interests and goals.
BACR operates workforce and reentry programs in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties.
ALAMEDA COUNTY PROGRAMS
As part of BACR’s workforce and reentry programs, we strive to provide early educational supports to young people to help them make better decisions about their education, early employment ideation, and behavioral health.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
RUTH BARAJAS - CARDONA | MESSAGE RUTH
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY PROGRAMS
In Contra Costa County, BACR runs ReSET, a WIA-funded job training work experience, and leadership building program for youth eligible according to the federal “Out of School Youth” designation. In addition to job and life skills training and placement, youth attend monthly workshops focused on job readiness, academics, or life skills such as SAT prep, college access, financial aid, financial literacy, resume writing, mock interviewing, etc. Youth also set career, academic, and personal goals for themselves and identify a plan to meet those goals.
The Benefits of ReSET:
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Participants are placed in a youth-led community, positively influencing and supporting one another and holding each other accountable when necessary;
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Participants receive the opportunity to gain relevant work experience;
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Participants learn academic, career, and personal goal setting and monitoring; and
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Participants receive support to navigate and overcome barriers.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
RUTH BARAJAS - CARDONA | MESSAGE RUTH
SAN FRANCISCO PROGRAMS
BACR’s longest-standing workforce program is the CHALK program (CHALK = Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids). CHALK provides a range of youth services with a specific focus on transformative youth development and employment. CHALK’s employment programs place in-risk youth on the front lines as service workers with their peers. Youth are trained, supported, and gain essential job and life skills, all while positively contributing to the community.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
RUTH BARAJAS - CARDONA | MESSAGE RUTH