Mar 7, 2024 By Mark Hofmann 2 min read

Younger inmates leaving the new Fayette County jail can take advantage of a free reentry program focused on giving them the skills they need to change the trajectory of their lives.

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette counties is working with the jail to bring participants between 18 and 24 into its Reentry Mentoring Program.

“When leaving prison and the jail system, we want them to be successful, reduce recidivism, give them the pathway, and we want to give that to them to make them better citizens,” said Shujuane Martin, CEO/president of PIC.

Program manager Amy Goulding said inmates in Fayette and Westmoreland counties already receive information about the service, but some don’t follow through. With the new partnership in Fayette County, they can enter the program before they’re released to better help their transition back into society.

“Our reentry specialists will guide them through the process,” Goulding said.

Now open for enrollment to those in Fayette or Westmoreland counties, the program was put into place three years ago. In addition to helping those being released from prison, it also offers assistance to those who have other types of involvement with the judicial system

Participants receive one-on-one mentoring services, assistance with overcoming personal barriers through goal attainment, and help finding employment or enrolling into long-term training programs. The program also helps participants obtain a driver’s license, get tools or clothing for jobs, child care, or utility bills, said Goulding.

This year, the program will offer assistance with short-term training for high priority occupations like welding, or acquiring a CDL license to drive a truck, said Shannon Sigosky, PIC’s director of workforce and economic development.

Nearly 100 individuals have gone through the program over its three years, and organizers hope to serve a total of 80 participants this year – 40 from Fayette County and 40 from Westmoreland County.

Enrollment is now open, and the program is offered at no cost through the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board. There is no deadline to sign up.

To complete an application for the Reentry Mentoring Program, call the Private Industry Council office at 724-836-2600, visit the website at www.privateindustrycouncil.com/re-entry-mentoring-program/. Applications are also available at the PIC offices at 112 Commonwealth Drive, Lemont Furnace or 219 Donohoe Road, Greensburg.