OUR SUCCESSES
OVERVIEW OF OUR SERVICES
Each year
Turnabout helps approximately 2,500
former offenders successfully transition back into the community. We
offer a broad spectrum of services including: orientation and drop-in
services, an employment search program, group mentoring/support,
case management, life skills training, and hard skills training.
We are currently part of several major initiatives, including: Denver
Metro Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, Denver’s Road Home, Stop The
Revolving Door, Life Skills at Denver County Jail, Community
Corrections – Phase 1 employment classes, and the WIRED
Initiative. In addition, we provide outreach activities, such as
providing an Introduction to Construction class at Denver County
Jail, and participating in job and resource fairs. All of
our programming is designed to help ex-offenders successfully
transition back into the community and to help reduce the
recidivism rate.
Construction Class at the Denver County Jail (2000-present)
+ Formal Recognition: 
For the last eight years, Turnabout has offered a weekly, Introduction to Construction class at the Denver County Jail. As part of the class, we bring in construction trade speakers to encourage inmates and offer employment tips to those scheduled for release. This program has served 1,570 clients through calendar year 2007. Of this number, 481 received certificates of participation for attending 4 or more classes and approximately 322 visited our offices for additional services upon release.
In July of 2005, Turnabout was recognized for “Five years of exemplary volunteer service” by the Denver Sheriff’s Department for providing life skills classes at the Denver County Jail.
Drop-In Orientation Sessions (2006-present):
Twice each week, Turnabout hosts a 1 ½ hour orientation for formerly incarcerated individuals who drop-in at our central Denver location. As part of this orientation, we provide general information on the services available to former offenders (both through our agency and through other local service providers), job leads and a question and answer session. We also assess whether or not each attendee might meet the criteria to participate in one of our grant-funded re-entry programs offering more intensive services. At the end of the session, each participant is provided with tokens for three bus rides to assist with their job search. More than 1,015 clients participated in these orientations during 2006 and 2007.
Employment
Search Program including Community Corrections – Phase I
(2004-present): 
Turnabout offers a 10-hour (2 day) Employment Search Program (ESP) class twice each month. As part of the class, we help clients focus on goal-setting, resume building, interviewing skills, and other skills helpful for securing and retaining employment. At the end of the class, each participant leaves with a professional-looking resume and job leads. During its 34 months of operation (ending December 31, 2007), this program has reached 973 clients.
A number of clients come as they are invited to participate in intensive services programming, however a large percentage of the clients who participate in our ESP class have been referred to us by Community Corrections- Phase 1. Two evaluations demonstrate the positive impact this class has had for our Community Corrections clients:
Results of an 18-month survey ending December 2006. Of 442 individuals from Community Corrections who enrolled in Turnabout’s ESP class, only 78 (17.6%) have returned to custody, in comparison to the national recidivism rate of 36%. Additionally in 2006, we began offering bus tokens to assist clients who had completed our ESP program, agreed to stay drug free, were able to work, and had I.D. and Social Security Documents (or other work documents). Eighty-two clients received bus tokens, of which 17% failed and were returned to custody; however, of the 59 (nearly 72%) individuals who found employment, only 10% returned to custody.
Results of a 12-month survey ending December 2007. Of 147 participants from Community Corrections, only 30 (20%) have returned to custody, in comparison to the national recidivism rate for this time period ranging from 36% to 40%. Ninety-five clients participated in our bus token program and only 15 (16%) returned to custody. We provided 4 to 5 weeks of bus tokens at a cost of between $50 and $62.50 per person. Additionally as a reward for 6 months of employment ,we provided 25 participants (from years 2006 and 2007) bus pass worth $56 each.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR INITIATIVES
Turnabout is currently participating in the following major initiatives:
Denver
Metro Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative (DMPRI) 2005-present: 
Turnabout, as
part of a collaborative headed by The Empowerment Program, was one of
only 30 applicants nationwide to be awarded a multi-year grant from the
Department of Labor through the White House’s Faith Based Prisoner
Re-entry Initiative. Our collaborative has been very successful; we
have the 3rd highest number of enrollees of any project in
the nation and our employment placement is 70%. Over the course of this
project, Turnabout is providing 141 ex-offenders with support services,
mentoring, and case management. Many of our project participants have
or will receive limited hard-skills training, such as flagger and
forklift certifications, computer classes, Hazmat training, and
Commercial Driver’s License – class B. As of December 31, 2007,
Turnabout had enrolled 103 clients in this project; 50 have received
hard-skills training, 75 have obtained employment, and 61 have attended
our mentoring/support program. Only 10 project participants are known
to have .recidivated.
Denver Road Home (DRH) 2007-present:
In 2007,
Turnabout, in collaboration with another local agency, was awarded a
two-year grant through Denver’s Road Home (the Denver Mayor’s 10-year
initiative to end homelessness). Over the course of this grant,
Turnabout will assist 50 ex-offenders who do not have a stable living
situation. As of June, 30 2008, Turnabout has provided intensive
services to 45 participants; we have helped 34 (more than 76%) obtain
employment with an average wage of $11.00 an hour. We have provided
additional support services as work basic, boots, tools, etc.
Thirty-five of the 45 participants have attended mentoring (9 have
attended 3 or more times), and 23 have received limited hard-skills
training (Asbestos, Flagging, Hazmat, Forklift training). Additionally
14 participants report they are no longer homeless and live in
permanent housing.
.
Life
Skills - Education Grant 2007-present:
In 2007, Turnabout was awarded a contract through the Denver Sheriffs Department (a grant funded by the Department of Education) to teach life skills classes at the Denver County Jail. These classes cover many areas including resumes, job interviews, financial planning, relationships on the job, etc. These classes and other innovative programming at the jail have been a catalyst for reducing inmate violence, helping to keep officers, employees and inmates safe. As of June 30, 2008, at total of 322 women and 397 men have attended classes 946 certificates have been awarded (upon completion of 3 or more classes).
Stop the
Revolving Door (SRD) Grant 2008:
Turnabout enrolled 30 case management/job placement participants by the end of the June 30, 2008. Of the total 30 participants, all had been released from prison or were/are on parole or in halfway houses with the exception of 4 participants from Community Corrections or other sources. Of 30 participants, 14 have initially been placed in jobs with wages averaging $11.50 per hour. Additionally, of the 14 employed participants, 5 had training and reported hourly wages that average $14.80 per hour. Twenty of the 30 have attended monthly mentoring (7 have attended more than once).
Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED)
Grant 2008: 
Turnabout, Inc. has formed a division “Rays of Hope” through the WIRED initiative in order to serve the needs of employers and to utilize energy-related job opportunities as a pathway out of poverty and into success for some of Colorado’s most disadvantage job seekers. Rays of Hope grant partners include Aspen Companies, Aspen Drilling, LLC, Denver’s Division of Workforce Development, Rocky Mountain IEC, United States Truck Driving School, Red Rocks Community College, Crime Prevention and Control Commission – Denver Department of Public Safety and Denver Community Corrections. We have had great success meeting major leaders in the energy field and have gathered over 35 resumes of our very qualified clientele who are eager for employment. Most of these individuals are people who are currently successful, but under-employed. With the significant funding of this grant we are able to meet the needs of employers, providing training and support to ensure long-term success.
Additional Accomplishments in 2006 and 2007:
§ Turnabout reached over 2700 inmates through workshops, services, and job fairs
§ 133 clients earned in house Flagger certification
§ Over 95 intensive service clients received hard-skills training (CDL-B, Asbestos Abatement, Hazmat, Forklift, Chemical Addictions Counseling, Computer Training, Culinary Arts) all provided by various businesses, organizations and schools
§ 100 received bicycles and locks
§ 4 received driver’s license training and tests
§ 23 received fee eye exams and new eyeglasses
§ 92 clients/families attended our two annual summer picnics; and 221 attended our two annual Christmas/Holiday Parties.
Turnabout has been blessed with the services of many volunteers. In 2006, 33 volunteers contributed 1703 hours (valued at $46,240). In 2007, 46 volunteers contributed 1609 hours (valued at $40,345).
Turnabout has been in the news! In 2006, a television crew from the national United Methodist Church headquarters came to Denver and took footage of our programming. Turnabout was featured in a segment on UMtv and a lengthy center-fold article in the United Methodist Reporter January 5, 2007.
Our alumni are giving back to the community. Over the last two years, 25 Turnabout alumni have taken on leadership roles at the annual Turnabout Sunday held at Trinity United Methodist Church. We are very proud that as part of this event, our alumni led adult forums and thanked the worshiping community for their financial support and their vision which led to creating Turnabout in 1985. Having our alumni taking part in these activities and giving back to the community is truly our greatest measure of success.
PAST
ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES -----
Office Economic Development – Division of Workforce Development
(OED-DWD) 2005-March 2006:
Through
a contract with Denver City and County
Office of Economic Development Workforce Centers, Turnabout provided intensive
services to 120 formerly incarcerated individuals, with only 11 being
re-incarcerated (a 10% recidivism rate). Average earnings for the 92
ex-offenders who secured employed and retained employment for 3 to 6
months/or longer was $11.39 per hour. All clients were provided with
supportive services (primarily bus tokens and work supplies or
clothes), at an average cost of $51 per client.
College Prep Program 2003-2004:
Turnabout
aided by individual and foundations, conducted a College/Technical
School Preparation Program. Out of 66 clients, 47 graduated our two
week program and more than half attended college or technical school
and 8 graduated.
Construction Job Training
Program 1997-2002:
Aided by a grant from the City and County of Denver and contributions from numerous individuals, business leaders and foundations, Turnabout conducted a Construction Job Training Program, offering classes lasting from two weeks to 90 days. We provided training in the areas of framing, electrical, plumbing, and heavy equipment. Out of 246 enrollees, 122 graduated from our training program and 110 were placed in construction jobs.