From Prison to Profession
There's a new intern at the Philadelphia Furniture Bank this week - thanks to a partnership with New Leash on Life. New Leash on Life is a non-profit, prison-dog training program, dedicated to improving the life of inmates and saving the lives of dogs. After serving their time, formerly incarcerated individuals interview with multiple organizations including the Philadelphia Furniture Bank and are offered internships to gain the job training and experience necessary to re-enter the workforce. We met up with intern, Ikea, one morning at the furniture bank and asked her a couple questions.
Q: Please explain New Leash on Life and how it affected you?
A: New Leash on Life was offered to me and a group of women in prision this year for the first time. Only men had the chance to be a part of this program until a couple months ago. I used to be scared of dogs when I was young, so I wasn’t sure if I would be able to handle it but I realized it was an important opportunity. We took these dogs who were in kennels, behind another set of bars just like us, and raised them to be better. We got to train them and feed them and take care of them as if they were children. You could see the sadness in their eyes just like any other person. They were feeling the same thing that we, in prison, were feeling. It taught us responsibility and love. I grew so attached to those dogs. Since we are the first female class, our graduation on Tuesday is going to be really important. I’m so excited. We get to be on TV, and we got to write a group speech.
Q: What was the process of you getting this job?
A: We were told of job interviews that were being offered to some of us and we learned how to make resumes and cover letters. Then, Howard and Danielle, from the Philadelphia Furniture Bank, came and interviewed me while I was still incarcerated. They were so nice and I hoped that they liked me. The whole time I kept reminding myself to breathe, make eye contact, and sit up straight. Two days later I asked my supervisor if he had heard back yet, and that’s when he told me that they loved me and that I got the job. I cried right there and then because I was just so happy. Not only did I get the job, but not long after, I was released early for good behavior. I went to prisin on December 15th of 2015, got released on May 9th, and now I’m working here, a week later. I’m excited to be able to work here and help others; I have no problem working with anyone, especially because I got certified in mental health while incarcerated.
Q: If you could define how you felt while incarcerated in three words, what would they be?
A: Sad, depressing, overwhelmed
Q: What got you through all the sadness and despair while in prison?
A: The Bible. Everyone has something they believe in, you could believe in the leg on that chair but somebody is waking us up in the morning. It’s just so sad to see some girls who have so much potential and get released from prison but are back within two weeks. I didn’t want to spend my life in jail, so I focused on the bible and did what I had to do to get out.
Q: If you could define how you felt when you got out in three words, what would they be?
A: Happy, excited, blessed
Q: What do you plan to do in your free time and on your days off from work?
A: I plan to start doing hair again and get myself out there. I also want to visit my aunt and uncle in North Carolina for a couple days because they are growing old and I haven’t seen them in a long time. I also want to spend time with my nieces and nephews. I lost a son about four days after he was born which is still hard. But I really look forward to having more kids and having a family. I’m just going to start where I can and take small steps, not rush anything. You got to crawl before you can walk.
Q: What kind of job do you plan on getting after this?
A: I hope to work in human services because I’m a people person. I just love to put a smile on someone’s face or crack a joke to make them laugh. Everyone deserves to smile and be happy, even if they are having a rough day. I’ve had 14 jobs since I was 16 so I have a lot of experience.
About the Author:
Gaby Amado is a senior in high school about to graduate in June. She is fulfilling her graduation project here at Pathways to Housing PA. She will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall and hopes to major in International Business. She loves helping with nonprofits and philanthropies, and she helped organize her school’s Mini-THON which raised $310,000 in the past two years for kids with pediatric cancer. She thanks her mom (and dad) for exposing her to this program and always supporting her. She likes to travel, eat lots of food, and help others.
