This story is sponsored by Opportunity Knox.
Josh Kaber grew up with a relatively straightforward childhood, raised in a safe and stable environment with both of his parents being police officers. He was involved in extracurriculars, an athlete, keeping on a steady path.
When he joined the roofing business at 14 years old, that’s when he began to notice a change.
“There was a lot of partying involved. Construction life – there’s a lot of people who drink on the job and smoke on the job and this and that. I started to get wrapped up in that,” Kaber said.
“As I got older, I hate to say, the more I wanted to get away from reality, I started using drugs. That was my biggest downfall, that’s what I got in trouble for.”
Kaber ended up getting a federal charge and serving two years in prison. Trying to better himself, he immersed himself into the Bible and attempted various sober programs. When he got out, the hunt for a job was on.
Felons often face numerous challenges when it comes to finding employment. Employers are often hesitant to hire individuals with criminal records due to concerns about safety, liability and the potential for negative publicity. This can create a vicious cycle, as felons may find it difficult to obtain the work experience and skills necessary to build a successful career. Additionally, many jobs require background checks, which can disqualify felons from consideration.
Fortunately, Kaber’s mother suggested that he visit Opportunity Knox in Mount Vernon and see what they have to offer. Eventually, he was able to find work through their re-entry JOBS program.
“Well, I happen to go in and they have a hundred plus job pamphlets laying out on these tables and Kokosing Construction was one of them. Growing up in Butler, Ohio, I knew a bunch of people who had worked there. They had nice things, y’know? I never thought I’d be able to have that opportunity,” Kaber said.
“Teresa Vernon took me into her office and explained to me that they had a short term grant through the government that could help ex offenders and people who had troubles in their lives get back on track, and so here I am, I’ve worked there for about a year now,” Kaber said.
Not only does Opportunity Knox help adults find jobs, but also encourages youth to explore what fields they may be interested in through hands-on experience. Michele Engelbach, CEO of Ohio Eastern Star Home works closely with Opportunity Knox through the Youth Paid Work Experience program.
Opportunity Knox partners with various businesses in order to send students out to work for an extended period of time. This gives the student a chance to test the waters and see if they enjoy the job, and it gives the employer a reliable employee, potentially for the long-term.
“They work with us for several weeks and get paid by Ohio Means Jobs. It’s a great way to see if that person fits in our environment and then whether or not they like it or not. We have hired several folks permanently after those experiences,” Engelbach said.
The staff at Opportunity Knox are eager to help those seeking employment and bettering themselves, with a variety of programs and seemingly endless opportunities, they are here to help.
Workforce Development Administrator Brandy Booth put it best, “The workforce is never done.”
