KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo-based MTS Ministries, Inc. this week announced it’s working with Google to provide digital skills programs to advance economic opportunity for people impacted by incarceration.
Once Google announced in June they were 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. MTS Ministries, Inc. was selected by Google based on its history of helping people who have been impacted by incarceration receive training, career resources, and job placement support.
Officials with MTS say more than 600,000 Americans leave incarceration each year and face higher jobless rates than the U.S. average, and that the lack of technology in prison creates further barriers to employment. MTS Ministries, Inc. will use the new funding to launch the Fresh Start Initiative throughout the State of Michigan.
The selected organizations will use Google digital skills curriculum that 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.
MTS Ministries, Inc. is the outreach ministry of Drs. Michael and Tamara T. Scott.
