Defy's entrepreneurial programs enable one of America's largest forgotten communities to defy the odds. We equip our Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) with new skills, new connections, and a new belief to match their new purpose, and succeed in their new life of economic independence. Defy works to address layers of racial injustice through our commitment to changing perceptions, breaking cycles of recidivism, and helping people to create equity in historically marginalized communities. Because we know that employment is key in preventing recidivism, Defy engages the business community through employer partnerships and by offering fair chance hiring workshops to educate companies about the importance and benefits of giving formerly incarcerated individuals a fair chance at a job. Our volunteer events also serve to shift volunteers' hearts and minds about people with criminal histories, so that we can recruit more agents of change in our mission. To achieve greater economic inclusion and lower recidivism and incarceration rates, Defy aims to increase the number of fair chance employers, investors, and formerly incarcerated people who are ready for careers or to launch a small business.
Come and Defy the Odds with us!
CEO Your New Life (CEO YNL) In-Prison Program
Embracing the challenges to come, our CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) in-prison program turns anxiety into real belief. This holistic and confidence-building curriculum prepares Entrepreneurs In Training (EITs) to rewrite their future with comprehensive employment-readiness, healthy habits, and entrepreneurship training during their incarceration. Our cohorts are six to nine months long and class meets 1 time per week. Built into our curriculum, Defy has partnered with a diverse network of leaders within the business sector to volunteer at our prison business coaching events and offer one-on-one guidance and support. As part of our class, EITs will have a developed an understanding of the entrepreneurial journey culminating in a business pitch competition and "certificate of entrepreneurship" from Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University.
About Our Position
Our part-time Prison Program Facilitator position is ideal for someone with an entrepreneurial, teaching, coaching and/or social service background who is comfortable and available to:
1) Work with diverse, incarcerated populations
2) Travel to Salinas Valley State Prison and facilitate classes weekly on Monday from 5 pm - 8 pm
3) You know how to build and maintain healthy boundaries.
4) Work part-time, typically 1-3-hour class period plus prep and admin time for total of 10 hours per week
**Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply**
Responsibilities
Act as the primary facilitator-coach of Defy Ventures CEO YNL curriculum 1 time per week on Mondays, 5 pm - 8 pm at Salinas Valley State Prison
Lead inclusive spaces for collaborative cohort learning with groups of currently incarcerated adults, including working with graduates of the program serving as peer facilitators
Prep for weekly classes and ensure all necessary materials are accounted for
Help answer participants questions about the program
Ensure assignments are completed by students
Communicate weekly with supervisor regarding class progression
Send weekly class roster and provide brief explanation for any attrition (e.g., disciplinary, transfer, dropout, release)
Assist with visit and event preparation (e.g., event needs, volunteer clearances, supplies, etc.)
Work with prison staff to ensure participants receive the appropriate permission to attend all program functions
Attend and support 2 - 3 volunteer events over the course of each 6-8-month class session
Other duties as assigned
Requirements
Available to work part-time, typically 1-3-hour class period plus administrative support for up to 10 hours per week
Strong interpersonal and communications skills, with the ability to intelligently and credibly articulate Defy's story and mission
Teaching or group facilitation experience is a plus
Collaborative team player with a "can do" attitude; willing to roll up sleeves and do whatever it takes to support Defy priorities
Strong presentation and facilitation skills
A willingness to learn and deepen your facilitation practice and open to feedback
Excellent judgment and ability to maintain a professional demeanor and positive attitude, even in ambiguous situations and during high-pressure periods
Ability to receive necessary clearances from (name of prison) to enter the prison facility
Reliable transportation and valid driver's license
Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply
Who You Are
You are organized, skilled at building relationships, and an excellent facilitator. You are comfortable working with populations who've experienced trauma, mental illness, homelessness and/or substance dependency. You've led groups or taught classes related to business, personal development, leadership or career readiness and are comfortable creating an inclusive environment and a safe space for sharing. You are adept at keeping discussions constructive and positive, even in challenging situations. You have experience or believe you would be comfortable working with incarcerated individuals and with prison staff to keep Defy's entrepreneurship, personal development, and career readiness program on track. At Defy, your task is to ensure that our in- prison program is executed successfully. You know how to build and maintain healthy boundaries.
About Defy Ventures
Defy Ventures' mission is to change mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at second chance. We are working to cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship as a tool to increase economic opportunity and inspire personal transformation. Defy's prison and post-release programs provides entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development training to support formerly and currently incarcerated people to successfully reenter society by obtaining meaningful employment and, when ready, to start a small business. Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) "defy the odds" through our program which includes intensive leadership development, Shark Tank-style business pitch competitions, and executive mentoring. We seek to build a redemptive, authentic community between EITs and our volunteer community. For more information on Defy Ventures, please visit defyventures.org.
Defy Ventures is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.