In South Jersey a new program is hoping to ensure someone's past doesn't predict their future by investing millions of dollars into Workforce training and other skills for individuals on probation with an emphasis on those who've had prior drug offenses helping them find jobs purpose and a fresh start Raven Santana has the story I could do things you know the problem wasn't me doing those things it was actually getting a job you know because every time I go put in you know my record comes up and it was like we can't do nothing with you 47 year old Eli Manuel Avila's Barreto isn't a shame that he once was addicted to opioids after a bad motorcycle accident or even that he has drug offenses on his record he says he's ashamed that he struggled to find a job because of his past and he's not alone Avila's Barreto is one of the 130 000 new jerseyans who are currently on probation many for drug offenses I don't have any criminal offense I mean uh violent offenses you know it's all drug charges and you know Low Court offenses uh I think that for me you know getting a job where I'm doing something that I think for me you know it matters and it's going to make a difference it definitely you know makes me think about not wanting to go back you know uh Aviles Barreto has successfully completed the Judiciary opportunities for building success also known as the NJ jobs program the initiative was established by retired Superior Court Judge Mark Sanson and Stockton president Harvey kesselman who was the chair of the New Jersey president's Council it's no longer enough to do to make sure that someone does not get caught committing a crime uh within the two three four or five years of probation now the emphasis is on getting them a a job a good job at a living wage with benefits in order to successfully complete probation the goal is to provide Workforce Development training and employment opportunities for individuals on parole through Partnerships with higher education a three million dollar Grant to support the program will also create spaces for things like internships studies and the opportunity for people like Avila's Barreto to attend college there's there's 130 000 people on probation in the state so imagine the cost to do the training for that many people all right so that we want to ramp this program up to meet as many probationers as possible in the state and that's what the funds are going to be earmarked for they spend the first two or three weeks on what we call employment soft skills what are employment soft skills you have to wake up in the morning at six o'clock or 6 30 in the morning you have to you have to you have to get dressed appropriately you have to show up work on time and the theory of our Workforce Development trainers is if you're early you're on time if you're on time you're late uh you have to be dressed appropriately and then financial literacy what do you do with your paycheck at the end of the week if you have conflict on the job how do you resolve conflict you don't resolve Conflict by walking out the door or by you know slogging somebody um these are all skills that have to be taught to people who have never had a job and without without that sending somebody to a job is kind of a hey you're correct Raven a hopeless procedure because they're going to get to the job a week or two later they're going to get in a fight with somebody and it's gonna it's not gonna work out well and here we are back in the Pickle Barrel again you've got the governor behind the department of laborers behind it so all of these entities private corporations are behind it all of these entities together will get the word out but if we show wait it's not that much of a risk all three men say they now are on a mission to continue growing and expanding the program so that despite your past record you can have the support and access you need to feel prepared and get a fair chance when applying for a position in turn ultimately making New Jersey a better place to live and work for NJ Spotlight news I'm Raven Santana