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A new teaching method might help more Philly students learn to read

Jane M. Von Bergen

May 17, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

A relatively new approach to teaching elementary school students called "The Science of Reading," is upending the way teachers approach curriculum. This pedagogical system places equal emphasis on auditory learning as it does on visual. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, kindergarten students went from 51% reading at grade level, to the next cohort in 2016 reaching 88% after the implementation of the program.

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Get To Work

Jane M. Von Bergen

April 19, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Transportation is one of the biggest barriers to employment in Philadelphia. Despite having a public transit system, many people do not own cars, so they cannot access higher-paying jobs in the suburbs. The Commuter Options program, funded by a Department of Transportation grant and supported by the Philadelphia Unemployment Project, provides a way for workers to carpool to jobs that share a similar schedule and location. Though it is only one part of the solution, the program is helping 65 people access jobs outside of the city.

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Lessons learned: Hiring ex-offenders pays off, but the workers need help

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 27, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

How do you find a job when you get out of prison? For some, it’s almost impossible. But, UpLift Solutions trains former offenders, and if they pass the six week course, they get hired at ShopRite, a grocery store. For some, the program is life changing.

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How ex-offenders get a second chance and a new career in rural Tennessee. Is it a model for Philly?

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Winchester, Tennessee

In rural Tennessee the unemployment rate can be very high, making it hard for inmates to find jobs upon their release, which then increases the rate of recidivism. The Rural Reentry Program has set up training programs for inmates while in jail in order for them to earn their certification and then find work at a local factory. This effort helps lower recidivism and balances the cost of imprisonment.

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What Philly-area CEOs think about hiring ex-inmates

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 02, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Connecting people coming out of incarceration with employment is crucial to helping them integrate back into society and not return to prison, but employers are often skittish about hiring people with records. Some argue the nature of their work is too sensitive to risk it, especially if employees work with sensitive data or law enforcement agencies. But employers in the Philadelphia metro region who have gone down this path often find it's worth it because the workers tend to be more loyal and stay longer in jobs, making for less turnover.

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Advice for firms to hire former inmates: Let a partner help

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 02, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What does a business like IKEA do if they want to hire former prisoners? They listen to a panel of people who have already done it.

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Why a $10,000 Philly tax break got almost no takers

Jane M. Von Bergen

June 21, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, the city enrolled out a program that offered companies a $10,000 tax credit. The catch? Hire former prisoners who have crime records. To the surprise of the city, the program tanked. Now, the city created a similar, but revised program “ the Fair Chance Hiring Initiative.”

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Ten things you should know about open hiring

Jane M. Von Bergen

April 20, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Yonkers, New York

In Yonkers, Pennsylvania, Greyston Bakery's open hiring process gives a chance to those who might not have been hired otherwise. The company doesn't conduct background checks, look at resumes, require a skills test, or check references; the process means that people with criminal records, mental illnesses, disabilities, or those who are experiencing homelessness have a fair shot at a job. For many hired, the legitimacy of a "real job," benefits, and added incentives like child care help them move forward with their lives.

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How ban-the-box rules help ex-offenders, hurt women, young people

Jane M. Von Bergen

March 22, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Ban-the-box legislation can help people with criminal records receive fair consideration as job applicants. However, the employment prospects of other applicants, particularly African American women and young workers, can decrease if employers use alternative methods of weeding out people who may have criminal records, such as prejudging names that signal African American or Hispanic backgrounds and adding educational and experience requirements to job descriptions.

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What selling drugs taught him about running a supermarket

Jane M. Von Bergen

March 20, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A former drug dealer who made massive amounts of cash finds his skills adapt well to the job he found after prison in a supermarket. Luckily the manager at this particular store recognized that fact and gave Louis Rivera a chance when we begged for a job right after his release. It was difficult for Rivera to adjust to making so much less money, but he has applied his business skills to move up into management and tries to help others following in his footsteps.

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