The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with JobTrain to help inmates transition into productive members of society.
Inmates at the Men and Women’s Transitional Facilities in Redwood City commemorated completion of a variety of professional training programs on Tuesday at Menlo-Atherton High School. The inmates are people who are considered medium security risks, according to Rebecca Rosenblatt, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
“These facilities house those inmates who are eligible to be housed in a lower security setting, who possess the commitment to take advantage of a variety of resources designed to get their lives on track upon their release from custody,” Rosenblatt said.
During the graduation ceremony, some of their fellow inmates catered the meal, as part of their training in the JobTrain Culinary program. Gene Shrewsbery is one of the program's graduates who completed his sentence and was released from custody. He wrote a letter to the law enforcement officials that said he was grateful to be set on the right path.
“I even had the chance to offer money to my family to help pay for my father’s medicine,” Shrewsbury writes. “That made me feel like a real person.”
Local business owners are coordinating with the program to employ people enrolled in the JobTrain programs.
Linda Henkelman is the owner of Eric’s Gourmet Food and Catering in Menlo Park. She said that Gene has a job waiting for him, describing him as very motivated. She said many customers have complimented him since she made him a manager.
“Gene’s story is just one of many as a result of this wonderful program,” Rosenblatt said. “The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office wishes him and all our JobTrain graduates nothing but success in their futures!”
JobTrain is located at 1200 O’Brien Drive in Menlo Park, California.
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