Mayor Daniel Rivera, with Abel Vargas, Executive Director of MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board, announces $200K for the Reintegration through Construction Pathways Program (RECP). The RECP is an occupational skills training program run by the MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board (MVWB) for returning citizens to become employed as Construction Laborers. The goal is to lower recidivism by placing returning Lawrence citizens in living wage jobs. “The path from jail to a good job is full of obstacles,” said Mayor Dan Rivera. “This program gives me and women who have paid the debt to society some real skills that helps them land that job and not land back in prison.”

So far, the MassHire MVWB program has graduated 10 returning citizens in 3 cohorts over the last year- 12 of whom have been successfully placed and 7 just graduated and are in job search. Another 8 returning citizens will be beginning training on May 13^th. “This program looks to train, mentor, and employ returning citizens who had fallen victims to their decisions but are now looking for a positive path forward,” said Abel Vargas, Executive Director of MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board. “The occupational and life skills developed through this program will position these men and women to better provide for themselves and families.”