11/15/2022
The Dannon Project Joins Google Program to Offer Digital Skills Training for People Impacted by Incarceration
In June, Google announced an initiative to help people impacted by incarceration gain digital skills through strategic partnerships and programming
Birmingham, AL —
Today, The Dannon Project announced it’s working with Google to provide digital skills programs to advance economic opportunities for people impacted by incarceration. In June, Google shared that it's investing $4 million toward a new fund that aims to expand its justice reform work. Over 500 nonprofit organizations across the country applied to receive support from the fund, and The Dannon Project is one of the recipients selected by Google based on its history of helping people who have been impacted by incarceration receive training, career resources, and job placement support.
More than 600,000 Americans leave incarceration each year and face higher jobless rates than the U.S. average. The lack of technology in prison creates further barriers to employment, as digital skills are increasingly essential in the current job market. The Dannon Project will use the new funding to integrate Google’s digital skills curriculum into its existing programming to help people impacted by incarceration learn skills for today’s jobs. Reentry participants will benefit from all aspects of the Digital Skills Curriculum including job searches, job readiness, online safety, project management and other skills, such as an introduction to becoming an entrepreneur. The GWG Digital Skills Curriculum will be taught during Phase I of the Five-Phased Reentry Program.
“We are both excited and eager to offer these life-changing skills in partnership with Google, which seeks to build confidence with improved job readiness skills not only for the workplace but also in the homes. Grow with Google will allow The Dannon Project to support participants learning to obtain career employment or start a micro business – or perhaps, even both,” said Kerri Pruitt, Founder of the Dannon Project.
“As we work to create a more inclusive economy, we’re committed to helping people impacted by incarceration access training for today’s jobs,” said Tia McLaurin, Senior Manager, Grow with Google. “We’re proud to work with outstanding partners to ensure more people can qualify for great jobs and create a new beginning for themselves and their families.”
The selected organizations will use Google digital skills curriculum that was co-curated with five nonprofits— The Last Mile, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), Defy Ventures, Fortune Society and The Ladies of Hope Ministries. The program’s training includes five learning paths that Google developed in collaboration with nonprofit partners: (1) Getting Started with the Basics, (2) Job Search, (3) Job Readiness, (4) Online Safety, and (5) “Next Step” Job Readiness Skills. Lessons vary from fundamental digital skills, such as how to apply for jobs online and create a resumé, to more advanced topics, including entrepreneurship and business budgeting. Partners will integrate this curriculum into their existing programs to help people develop skills that will help them get a job or start a business.
Since launching in April 2021, Grow with Google’s program has helped more than 10,000 people impacted by incarceration obtain digital skills. Out of the participants surveyed, 85% said they felt more prepared for their future, and over 75% reported they had a job or were enrolled as a student by the end of the program. To date, Google has given over $48 million in Google.org grants and committed 50,000 pro bono hours to advance criminal justice reform. Learn more about how Google is expanding access to digital skills training to support individuals who were formerly incarcerated at grow.google/justice-impacted.
About The Dannon Project
Established in 1999 with its home office located in Birmingham, AL, The Dannon Project (DP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission, “to ensure maximum utilization of resources in the geographical areas of Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Calhoun, Clarke, Shelby, Walker, Blount, St. Clair, Fayette, Pickens, Lamar, Greene, and Bibb Alabama Counties; and, Virgin Islands by employing all resources in the areas to assist in the development of healthy communities and lifestyles.” Services provided range from pre- and post-prison and jail release case management, community health services, career readiness training, short-term occupational training and certifications licensed through the Alabama Department of Post-Secondary, career placement assistance, court advocacy, mentoring, behavioral health (i.e., substance use and mental health), housing stabilization, adult educational needs; and, wraparound supportive services. DP has served over 10,000 unduplicated individuals and families, including pregnant and parenting youth, justice-involved youth, undereducated individuals, unemployed and underemployed persons, and adults transitioning from prison and jail.
About Grow with Google
Grow with Google was started in 2017 to help Americans grow their skills, careers, and businesses. It provides training, tools, and expertise to help small business owners, veterans, military families, job seekers and students, educators, startups, and developers. Since Grow with Google’s inception, it has helped more than nine million Americans develop new skills. Grow with Google has a network of more than 8,500 partner organizations like libraries, schools, small business development centers, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to help people coast-to-coast.
