The Green Entrepreneur Program in Kentucky is one example of an innovative entrepreneurship training program adapted for inmates, ex-offenders, and at-risk youths. The program was established in early 2009 by Sustainable Business Ventures, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company based in Lexington, Ky. The program uses a combination of entrepreneur and business plan training and work placement.
Robert “Bobby” Clark, President of Sustainable Business Ventures, talked about Kentucky’s Program at a recent Florence Rotary Club meeting.
Ex-offenders do not normally return to a waiting job. But they still face financial obligations, including housing, transportation, child support, and other debts and perhaps even tax problems. The initial focus of the Program then is on finding a job. The second step is to provide training and the tools needed to create a business plan. Finally mentoring on how to be an entrepreneur is provided.
A similar program in Texas has proven to reduce recidivism. Typically about 49% of those released from prison will be back within 3 years. Records show less than 3% of graduates from the Texas program returned to prison in that time frame.
Clark reported that Sustainable Business Ventures has successfully completed 3 summer programs for at-risk youths. A new program for prisoners at the Blackburn Correctional Complex near Lexington is in the planning stage.
Transcending poverty through business start-up and training has proven to be successful for hard-to-employ individuals such as ex-offenders returning to their families and communities after a term of imprisonment. Clark told the Rotarians the goal of the Green Entrepreneur Program is to create productive, hard-working taxpayers out of Kentucky’s prison population. For more information about the Program contact Mr. Clark at PO Box 1367 , Lexington, KY 40588 or sbvclark@gmail.com.
For information about weekly meetings, guest speakers and community service opportunities of the Florence Rotary Club, contact Pat Moynahan, president, at amoynahan@insightbb.com or (859) 802-0242. Visit the group’s web site at www.florencerotary.org . Florence Rotary meets weekly on Mondays at noon at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Florence.
