How can the Safer Foundation help me
Safer helps prepare you for employment and the job search. We also work with companies that hire individuals with a criminal record. If you are ready to work, we will send you on a job interview. If you have problems that make it difficult for you to work, we help you solve those problems first. And if you are between 16 and 21 years, we can help you continue your education so you can find a better job.

Do you work with all individuals with a criminal record?
The Safer Foundation serves men and women aged 16 and up who live either in the Chicago area or in the Quad Cities areas of Illinois and Iowa. For those 16-21-year-olds who are interested in furthering their education, Safer offers YEP (Youth Empowerment Program) that helps you get your GED, learn basic skills needed for the workplace and helps you select and enroll in further education and/or training and in some cases, find a job. For those 18 years and over who are interested in getting a job right away, we help them find work.

What if I never held a job for very long before?
That's all right. If you are ready to work and willing to go through the necessary steps the Safer Foundation can help you. But you do have to be realistic -- it may take some time and your first job may not be your dream job. But it is a place to start and move on from once you prove you are serious about working.

What do you mean by "ready to work"?
If you are going to keep a job, you have to have your life in some kind of order, like having a place to live and being drug free for at least 30 days.

How does Safer know if I am "ready to work"?
When you come to the Safer Foundation, the first thing you do is meet one-on-one with a Safer intake counselor. You'll talk about why you were in prison, how prison affected you, what type of work you have done, housing, any medical problems, substance abuse -- everything. You must be completely honest if Safer is going to help you. By the end of the conversation, the counselor and you will both know what the right next step is for you -- whether it be going for your GED, finding a job or solving some of the other issues you have so you can then move forward with your life.

What other issues?
It can be anything. For some people, it may be providing training on how to fill out a job application and prepare for an interview. For others it may be helping them find a place to live, get medical care or get help with a drug or alcohol problem.

How do you help me solve these issues?
Often times, you will work with a person who serves as your coach. This coach gets to know you really well so he or she can help you understand what may be preventing you from turning your life around. Your coach stays with you for two years and when necessary, introduces you to other people who can help you when Safer cannot. But understand, the coach does not solve your problems -- he or she helps you take responsibility for solving your own problems.

Why do I have to be drug free for 30 days to get a job?
First, you can't do a good job on drugs. Second, employers require a drug test of everyone -- not just an individual with a criminal record. They won't hire you if you are on drugs -- any drugs, even marijuana. If you lie about using drugs to the Safer Foundation, we won't help you find a job for one year.

Does Safer have a drug program too?
Safer Foundation works with agencies that that have drug programs. We often refer individuals with records to other agencies that specialize in certain services. When you finish one of these programs and are ready to work, you can return to the Safer Foundation for help in finding a job.

How much does it cost to use Safer Foundation services?
There is no charge to the client for using our services. Safer raises the money to pay for these programs. In fact, the Safer Foundation will sometimes be able to help clients with carfare to get to the Safer Foundation for meetings or to job interviews and help them find appropriate clothing, if necessary.

Where can I get more information about the programs and services of the Safer Foundation?
Please go to Services for a fuller description of the programs and services that the Safer Foundation offers.