Program Updates

Work Readiness

1st Step’s in-house Work Readiness program kicked off in December 2021 and focuses on preparing 1st Step participants with skills and perspectives needed for employment. The objectives of the program are to help 1st Step participants:

• Develop self-esteem/self-confidence in their worth and their employability
• Understand the expectations of employers
• Develop skills that will improve employment opportunities and generate a positive impression
• Overcome toxic barriers which prevent young men from gaining and keeping employment. Toxic barriers include negative stereotypes of masculinity such as not expressing emotion, disrespecting authority, and disrespecting women.

Work Readiness participants complete an assessment to identify their employment-related interests and skills. They address topics such as mechanisms for finding employment, best ways to write a resume and cover letter, how to dress for employment, including a visit to a shop to select interview and court-appearance appropriate attire, embracing change, 21st-century workplace skills, emotional intelligence, effective responses to email and text messages, and insights into verbal and non-verbal communication.

Homework assignments are based on the curriculum and the book Employment Success by John Liptak. The course is presented in 8 sessions over 4 weeks by Suited for Life Consultant Maurice Nelson. 

Featured Program

ProsperOK

We are excited to announce that 1st Step has joined forces with ProsperOK, a diverse collective consisting of community members, leaders, supporters, practitioners, politicians, companies, and donors.

Together, we have established the Education and Training Pathways Collective (ETPC), an initiative aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable education and training services. The primary objective of this collaboration is to provide individuals impacted by the criminal justice system with equal opportunities to secure middle-skilled jobs. As part of this partnership, participants in the 1st Step program are now undergoing intensive training courses facilitated by Tulsa Tech. These comprehensive sessions span a duration of 12 weeks, during which participants can choose their preferred training program at no cost to them. Moreover, participants receive a weekly stipend of $250 while they are enrolled in the training. Through these training programs, 1st Step participants earn valuable certifications in Welding, CNC Machinery, and CDL B, significantly enhancing their skill set and employment prospects.

We are proud to report that many participants have successfully transitioned into living wage jobs after completing the certification process. This collaboration between 1st Step and ProsperOK is creating meaningful pathways for individuals to rebuild their lives and thrive in the workforce. 

Goal

Fathers at Home

The 1st Step Male Diversion Program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is dedicated to helping young men between the ages of 18 and 25 rebuild their lives rather than facing lengthy prison sentences for non-violent felony convictions. Our program offers a comprehensive range of support services aimed at addressing substance use disorders, educational attainment through GED certification, securing driver's licenses, accessing health insurance, providing job training and placement opportunities, as well as group and personal cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions. These interventions focus on fostering healthy relationships, enhancing communication skills, and promoting pro-social thinking and moral decision-making among program participants.

Over the course of the first five years, as we worked with various cohorts of candidates, we recognized a pressing need to prioritize the development of fathering and co-parenting skills. Approximately half of the men in the 1st Step program are fathers, and many of them have multiple children. It is noteworthy that the majority of these individuals grew up in households without a father or positive male role model. Recognizing the value of restoring fatherhood and promoting nuclear family structures, we have made it a key objective of our program to help break the cycle of fatherless men in our society.

To achieve this goal, 1st Step is collaborating with several social agencies in Tulsa and across the state of Oklahoma. Our aim is to develop the necessary infrastructure to emphasize fatherhood within the context of the justice system, paralleling the emphasis traditionally placed on women and motherhood. This entails incorporating formal classwork in parenting, facilitating supervised child visitation, and providing individual and group counseling focused on co-parenting. By implementing these additional elements into our program, we hope to offer enhanced support to program participants and their families, thereby contributing to their successful reintegration into society.

To make these initiatives possible, we are actively seeking new funding and working diligently to secure the necessary resources. With the support of additional funding, we anticipate being able to implement these new components effectively, improving the overall outcomes for program participants and their children. Through these efforts, we aim to empower young men in our community to become responsible fathers, break the cycle of fatherlessness, and foster healthier family dynamics for a more resilient society.

Accomplishments

GED Graduation

In 2022, 1st Step formed a valuable partnership with Union Adult Learning to offer GED classes at our office. Since the inception of this program, we have witnessed the enrollment of 11 young men, with 6 of them already successfully obtaining their GED certificates. The recent Union Adult Learning Graduation held on June 15th served as a proud moment for us, as our participants walked across the stage to receive their well-deserved recognition.

Among the remaining 5 participants currently enrolled in our GED program, 2 of them are only three subjects away from completion, while another participant has four subjects to complete. The two newest participants are in the early stages of their GED journey.

Those who have already earned their GED have taken advantage of vocational training opportunities and secured gainful employment with living wages. These successes highlight the positive impact of our partnership with Union Adult Learning and serve as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our participants.