Page 19 - Mar/April 2016 Vol.33No.7
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employees. The Public Service Equity less “built-in” because stakeholders and afraid to propose something. You do
and Diversity Committee, who created decision makers were all a part of the not have to be an “expert” to launch
and manages the program, originally process and shared ownership in the a program so long as you surround
envisioned the program as a potential finished product. yourself with a team of good people and
pathway for permanent employment. are not afraid to take advice from people
Another positive goal of the program The Equity and Diversity Committee who know more than you do.
is to add more diversity to our Public consists of Nick Bradshaw, Stanley
Service workforce so that we can better Beljour, Charles McCurdy, Enzo What makes the Second Chances
reflect the makeup of the communities Montenotte, Trevor Dyer, Ray program so great is that it really is a
that we serve. Beckner, Matt Bradburn from Civil true win-win for everyone involved.
Service, Juventino Cano, Gail Frank, Employment can be the silver bullet
We were incredibly fortunate that Katina Bradley, Donnie Young, Corey in combating the problems faced by
everyone in our department leadership Thompson and Melvin Williams. the disadvantaged or underserved
ranks and City administration that populations in our cities. Ex-offenders,
came across this program was highly No one on the Committee is an expert homeless people and others face
supportive. The groundwork for this in designing programs or conducting particular obstacles that make it more
support was laid months in advance by community outreach. Our expertise difficult for them to obtain employment
the Equity and Diversity Committee is predominantly in the area of public and work their way out of their
itself. We spent most of our formative works operations and the use of heavy situations. The primary goal of the
meetings learning about equity, equipment to perform basic municipal Second Chances program is to provide
diversity and inclusion from a variety of services. You would not think this an opportunity for deserving individuals
guest speakers including City officials experience qualifies our group to propose to earn some work experience, earn a
and community leaders. Because of and implement programs that serve paycheck, and hopefully earn their way
the support we had received from our community. However, my biggest out of their situations through their own
department leaders, the vision and takeaway from this whole endeavor hard work. Our greatest hope is that
priorities of Mayor Rogero, and the is that you don’t need to be a policy our candidates will excel enough to be
research that we had done in our early expert or a high-ranking government considered for permanent employment.
meetings, we were able to craft a program official to make a major difference in the The Public Service Department also
that we expected would be well received. community. What you need is dedication wins because we have highly motivated
This was a leadership-sanctioned, but and a willingness to make a commitment employees working with us as we deliver
employee-driven process. As a result, to your program’s success. My biggest services to our Knoxville community.
support of the program was more or piece of advice to anyone looking to
launch a similar program is not to be
View online at tnpublicworks.com 19
and Diversity Committee, who created decision makers were all a part of the not have to be an “expert” to launch
and manages the program, originally process and shared ownership in the a program so long as you surround
envisioned the program as a potential finished product. yourself with a team of good people and
pathway for permanent employment. are not afraid to take advice from people
Another positive goal of the program The Equity and Diversity Committee who know more than you do.
is to add more diversity to our Public consists of Nick Bradshaw, Stanley
Service workforce so that we can better Beljour, Charles McCurdy, Enzo What makes the Second Chances
reflect the makeup of the communities Montenotte, Trevor Dyer, Ray program so great is that it really is a
that we serve. Beckner, Matt Bradburn from Civil true win-win for everyone involved.
Service, Juventino Cano, Gail Frank, Employment can be the silver bullet
We were incredibly fortunate that Katina Bradley, Donnie Young, Corey in combating the problems faced by
everyone in our department leadership Thompson and Melvin Williams. the disadvantaged or underserved
ranks and City administration that populations in our cities. Ex-offenders,
came across this program was highly No one on the Committee is an expert homeless people and others face
supportive. The groundwork for this in designing programs or conducting particular obstacles that make it more
support was laid months in advance by community outreach. Our expertise difficult for them to obtain employment
the Equity and Diversity Committee is predominantly in the area of public and work their way out of their
itself. We spent most of our formative works operations and the use of heavy situations. The primary goal of the
meetings learning about equity, equipment to perform basic municipal Second Chances program is to provide
diversity and inclusion from a variety of services. You would not think this an opportunity for deserving individuals
guest speakers including City officials experience qualifies our group to propose to earn some work experience, earn a
and community leaders. Because of and implement programs that serve paycheck, and hopefully earn their way
the support we had received from our community. However, my biggest out of their situations through their own
department leaders, the vision and takeaway from this whole endeavor hard work. Our greatest hope is that
priorities of Mayor Rogero, and the is that you don’t need to be a policy our candidates will excel enough to be
research that we had done in our early expert or a high-ranking government considered for permanent employment.
meetings, we were able to craft a program official to make a major difference in the The Public Service Department also
that we expected would be well received. community. What you need is dedication wins because we have highly motivated
This was a leadership-sanctioned, but and a willingness to make a commitment employees working with us as we deliver
employee-driven process. As a result, to your program’s success. My biggest services to our Knoxville community.
support of the program was more or piece of advice to anyone looking to
launch a similar program is not to be
View online at tnpublicworks.com 19
