How We Started!
Empowering Pathways: Expanding Opportunities Through the Clean California Initiative
From the beginning....Empowering Pathways: Expanding Opportunities Through the Clean California Initiative
From the beginning....
Empowering Pathways: Expanding Opportunities Through the Clean California Initiative
Back 2 Work began by providing formerly incarcerated individuals the opportunity to work alongside Caltrans in litter abatement along California highways, starting in Sacramento. At the time, Sacramento’s highways faced significant litter issues, and Caltrans, unable to manage the workload alone, partnered with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Together, they worked with Back 2 Work to launch the first crews to tackle the problem. This partnership not only helped clean up the highways but also opened vital job opportunities for justice-impacted individuals, helping them reintegrate into the workforce and rebuild their lives despite the challenges of finding employment after returning home.
In 2013, our success led us to join Butte County Office of Education's Statewide Local Support Services Division, officially establishing the Back 2 Work department. This collaboration inspired CDCR and Caltrans to expand these services statewide, further contributing to keeping California clean. Through service contracts with Back 2 Work, we have provided opportunities for justice-impacted individuals and others facing barriers to employment.
How it's going!
How it's going!
How it's going!
By 2021, with the launch of Governor Newsom's Clean California Initiative, Back 2 Work saw a major expansion in its operations. Today, we serve over 36 counties with 99 work crews, providing opportunities to more than six thousand individuals annually. Our program supports formerly incarcerated individuals, transitional youth, and marginalized populations, helping them secure transitional employment through subcontractor crews while staying true to our mission of keeping California clean and creating pathways to long-term success.
Beyond work on our crews, we also offer career readiness services and supportive resources. Participants gain access to training, mentorship, and wraparound services designed to prepare them for full-time, permanent career opportunities. Through these comprehensive offerings, we help individuals transition into sustainable employment, empowering them to build stable, fulfilling futures. We focus not just on providing opportunities but on creating lasting pathways to career growth.
But our journey doesn’t stop here. We've expanded into apprenticeship opportunities, offering pre-apprenticeships in IT and training in automotive, OSHA 10, safety, and manufacturing. We're continually evolving, excited to expand further and create even more opportunities for our participants.
