Press Releases

Philadelphia, PA – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today joined Philadelphia leaders to announce $1 million in new federal funding she recently secured to support a workforce training program for formerly incarcerated Philadelphians. It is one of 10 Community Project Funding awards Scanlon delivered for her district through the Fiscal Year 2022 federal government funding package passed by Congress in March.

“Using the $1 million in federal funding we secured, Philadelphia Works and the Center for Economic Opportunities will be able to offer an opportunity to formerly incarcerated Philadelphians who need a second chance to get back on their feet,” said Rep. Scanlon. “As new economic development takes place in our region, it is crucial we use these opportunities to extend benefits to the community in which that development is taking place, and transitional work programs are one way to do that. I look forward to seeing this program get started because I know it has the potential to change lives.” 

Philadelphia Works will partner with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) to train and give job experience to formerly incarcerated Philadelphia residents. This transitional work experience will provide participants with the knowledge, experience, and training necessary to build lasting attachments to the workforce and become permanently employed.

The project will provide 125-150 formerly incarcerated Philadelphians with immediate employment upon release from incarceration working at the site of the now-shuttered PES oil refinery in the heart of Southwest Philadelphia. Participants will assist with the clearing of the blighted refinery land, performing litter abatement, graffiti removal, and landscaping services to produce a more eco-friendly space. Participants in this program will have access to employment services and a network for career opportunities such as advanced training and credentialing.

“For individuals who are justice-involved, transitional employment opportunities strengthen their path towards self-sufficiency and significantly reduce recidivism," said H. Patrick Clancy, President and CEO at Philadelphia Works. “While transitional job programs are not a new idea, they are a smart workforce solution that addresses the immediate needs of those coming out of incarceration, offering support services, skill development, and a positive work history.”  

The Center for Employment Opportunities model has undergone rigorous evaluation and demonstrates statistically significant impacts on both recidivism and long-term employment. In a randomized control trial evaluation conducted by the independent research firm MDRC, Center for Employment Opportunities was found to reduce rearrests, reconviction, and re-incarceration of recently released individuals by 16-25% in the three years following release from prison.

“At CEO, we believe everyone deserves the chance to work toward a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities — something we have been doing here in Philadelphia since 2015,” said Jacqueline Weinberg, CEO’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. “With these Community Project funds, CEO will employ 150 individuals with past convictions, to revitalize this site while creating individual economic mobility, something we know will benefit them and our entire community.”  

Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP) acquired the 1,300-acre former PES oil refinery in July 2020. Using a community-focused approach to redevelopment, HRP is transforming the property — now called The Bellwether District — into a state-of-the-art, 15-million square-foot life sciences, e-commerce, and logistics campus. 

“Building job skills and increasing the chance of securing long-term employment is how we uplift and strengthen our communities and economic base,” said Roberto E. Perez, CEO, Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP). “HRP’s partnership with Philadelphia Works and CEO is essential for us to transform a former oil refinery into an eco-friendly space that serves as an economic engine filled with local workers. We are grateful for Representative Scanlon’s work in securing funding for this partnership that is helping reintegrate both this site and the program’s participants back into Philadelphia’s diverse workforce.”

The Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill provides $1.5 trillion in discretionary resources, including nearly $8.5 million in Community Project Funding secured by Scanlon for organizations in PA-05. Additional information on the Community Project Funding awards in Scanlon’s district is available  here.

Photos from the press conference are available here for media use.

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